Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Sports => Football => Topic started by: Flex on March 30, 2020, 07:13:18 AM
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Hadad ready for TTFA challenge
T&T Guardian
Newly appointed chairman of the FIFA-designated Normalisation Committee (NC), Robert Hadad, was surprised by the call to head the unit but expressed a genuine willingness to help put T&T football back on the right path. This after the William Wallace-led T&T Football Association (TTFA) was disbanded by FIFA on March 17 after it was elected on November 24, 2019.
Hadad, who was placed in charge of T&T’s football with immediate effect, spoke passionately on i95.5fm Isports' Saturday programme with host Andre Errol Baptiste on the road ahead.
“Football here in Trinidad and Tobago is huge, people love the game. It is a privilege to be involved in it, whatever the circumstances I am coming into," said Hadad, who is one of three Chief Executive Officers of the HADCO Group of Companies.
"I have watched the TTFA have many challenges over the years. I know fans and people love football, it brings out a sense of patriotism in everybody. We long for an association, a national team to be proud of, makes all of us feel good and I share that aim and that is why I agreed to help and that is what I want to achieve."
He is part of five-member NC appointed on Friday to take over the governance of T&T football along with retired international banker Nigel Romano, a Director and Partner at Moore T&T, who is also a former chairman of the JMMB Bank, as well as American-based Attorney and Environmental Law Specialist Judy Daniel. There are two members still to be named by FIFA in the coming days.
Surprise call from FIFA
According to Hadad, a couple of weeks ago he got a phone call and was bluntly asked if he was interested in being a part of the NC?
"It took me back a bit and I sat down and said wow!" said Hadad honestly. "I do not know where this came from, I am guessing that they asked around. When they contacted me, I was taken aback and surprised. A couple of friends of mines called me and said, some people are asking about you, I didn’t know who it was."
However, he didn't let the uncertainty deter him from taking up the challenge with current pandemic nudging him towards committing to the post.
"This Covid-19 shook me up and I said, I really should get involved and make a difference. I saw the patriotism and the dedication of many members in our government and people stepping up to the plate and making an effort and our health care workers," Hadad internalised, saying to himself: "You have a talent, you have an ability, why don’t you get involved in this and try to make a difference, and it drove me to the point, where I said 'Yes FIFA', I am interested.”
He was interviewed by about three to four people from FIFA about his life and career, his involvement in football and if any affiliations.
"I don’t know, how they picked me. A few people in FIFA contacted me, they are from the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and CONCACAF, " said Hadad, who describes himself as a 'real family man'.
Hadad worked with Brown, Camps
“I have been in the family business (Hadco, Lighthouse, Peppercorn and Nova), for the last 30 years. We started our own business, my two brothers and I. Our father died at 49 and we had to decide to take care of our family.
"My degree is in accounting (University of the West Indies). I am a real Caribbean Boy. I love my country and I love everything about T&T, said Hadad, who worked in accounting at Peat Marwick, before the family business got going in 1992. However, it was while working at Peat Marwick in 1990 he got into the administrative side of the football.
"I worked with Ralph Brown and Ollie (Oliver) Camps at the end of the 'Road to Italy 1989'. I was an auditor and my assignment was actually working on the Road to World Cup Fund and doing the audit for them afterwards, so it's kind of funny, that 30-plus years afterwards, I am here now, trying to make an impact, back in football and maybe turn things around a bit.
“I love football, I love sport, I am a real sports fanatic it is a big source of problems with my wife and myself. When we sit at night all I want to look at is sports, she wants to look at a romantic comedy, every night it is the same story she falls asleep after five minutes," said Hadad said jokingly. he revealed that his youngest son piqued his interest in the sport locally. He is an aspiring goalkeeper with Queen's Park Cricket Club football team and he made it onto the national team.
Meeting with football stakeholders
Hadad, who is involved in a sponsorship mechanism with the Camboulay Foundation, has become the most popular individual in local football as former executive members have already reached out to him.
“My phone has been on fire. I spoke to Mr Wallace (William, the former president) and I got a Whatsapp message from Mr David John-Williams, telling me congratulations. I kind of know all the players here at stake, in the association. I have already spoken with Ramesh Ramdhan (TTFA general secretary).
"My objective is for people to recognise that I am not here favouring one side or the other. I don’t know why we are here, I know it is not the fault of any one particular administrative group. I am guessing that we are here because of many mistakes along the road. I am just here to try with the team that I am involved in to make things better. The best way we could put TTFA back on the right track,” said Hadad.
He explained that “We came together already, individually Nigel Romano and myself, Judy and myself, have spoken a few times. We are in touch with each other but at the end of the day, we need to decide, when those other two people come on, what are the assets of those two people the bottom line for us is that over the next two weeks we cannot do much, we are going to be strapped down like everybody else in our homes. "FIFA did what it had to do for whatever reasons. I am just seeing an opportunity to put T&T football back on the right track."
NC now running TTFA day-to-day affairs
Moving forward under FIFA, Hadad cited that the NC has a clear remit, to run the TTFA daily affairs, analyse the current financial situation with a quick debt repayment plan and decide exactly how they are getting there, where are they getting this money to cover each expense. "We will looking at the statutes and the regulations so that we can comply with the FIFA statues because that is very important and then we have to organise an election,” explained Hadad.
Hadad revealed he is not interested in any remuneration for this job: “I made it clear when I took this job that I am not interested in any payment. Outlined in the contract is a stipend for expenses and whatever, but to be quite frank with you, I am so happy in my life and my skin. I love where I am in my life and I am just ready to give back to my country and at this time of need.”
Confidentiality is key in the process
Hadad went on to touch on the importance of confidentiality, on the TTFA office, meeting with individuals that will aid in getting T&T back on the right path.
“Everybody has to respect that (confidentiality). We must keep the matters of FIFA between us and FIFA and what is to come out to the wider population will come out. But at the end of the day, we are not here to dig up any bones that have been buried over the years and go back and figure out, who did what and who did that. We are not interested in that, we are interested in taking a position of the day and making a better organisation for all of us to be proud of,” said Hadad.
Seeking advice from Guyana's Urling
He explained that the current situation at the moment with the offices of the TTFA will remain unchanged and that he plans to reach out to the former head of the NC in Guyana Clinton Urling to get some information, so I am planning to spend a lot of time on Skype or zoom but we are not going to the office because it is illegal and we have to respect that. So we in holding pattern for a couple of weeks,” said Hadad, who added that all contracts given by TTFA will be upheld.
“I am guessing we have to maintain the contracts with everybody, we cannot walk in there and cancel a contract of anybody but we will have to read the contracts. We will have to find out exactly how long these contracts are for and have to meet with the coaches. We're probably going to have to meet with everybody, the technical director and the rest of the members of the staff and decide what is the best way for football. But I am clear in my mind that we need to divide the business into the day-to-day running, cleaning up of the accounts payable, the technical side. All of that will be decided in the next couple of months.
Hadad said, "I am going to follow the guidelines of FIFA. I am not a 'yes man' so I will challenge FIFA. Me and my team we will challenge them because we know the dynamics of our country, we know what Trinbagonions want and we are going to try to do our very best.”
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"I have watched the TTFA have many challenges over the years. I know fans and people love football, it brings out a sense of patriotism in everybody. We long for an association, a national team to be proud of, makes all of us feel good and I share that aim and that is why I agreed to help and that is what I want to achieve.
Despite your enthusiasm, I wouldn't plan on more than a cautious to lukewarm to polite welcome from anyone other than the "architects", the usual suspects, the opportunists, the vultures, the "not cynical" and those who have a FIFA dog in de fight.
P. S. Congrats on gehhin a thread. :) Everyday won't be Carnival.
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Strikes me as wholly naive with little knowledge of the background involved. Shows the mindset of FIFA that they went back to that reign...
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Hadad ready for TTFA challenge
T&T Guardian
"My degree is in accounting (University of the West Indies). I am a real Caribbean Boy. I love my country and I love everything about T&T, said Hadad, who worked in accounting at Peat Marwick, before the family business got going in 1992. However, it was while working at Peat Marwick in 1990 he got into the administrative side of the football.
"I worked with Ralph Brown and Ollie (Oliver) Camps at the end of the 'Road to Italy 1989'. I was an auditor and my assignment was actually working on the Road to World Cup Fund and doing the audit for them afterwards, so it's kind of funny, that 30-plus years afterwards, I am here now, trying to make an impact, back in football and maybe turn things around a bit.
SMH..... >:( :banginghead: :banginghead:
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Captains butt heads over wages.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
CHAIRMAN of the TT Football Association (TTFA) normalisation committee Robert Hadad and embattled TTFA president William Wallace have openly differed on how TTFA staff members (administrative and coaching) will receive their outstanding salaries.
Wallace and his executive were removed on March 17 by FIFA who in turn set up a normalisation committee due to mounting debts accumulated by the TTFA.
However, Wallace, through his legal team of Matthew Gayle and Dr Emir Crowne, has issued an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over FIFA’s decision to scrap his executive, who was elected into office on November 24, 2019.
Last Friday, FIFA announced that they were presenting grants valued at US$500,000 to its member associations, as well as entitlements for 2019 and 2020.
In a letter, on Monday, to the TTFA staff, Wallace wrote, “FIFA is now preparing to release funding to the TTFA that it has thus far refused to release prior to the purported appointment of the normalisation committee.
“For your peace of mind in these difficult times, as soon as I am notified by the general secretary (Ramesh Ramdhan) and/or First Citizens of the receipt of the monies from FIFA, I will take the necessary steps to ensure you are paid as owed.”
Hadad, who was recently declared by FIFA’s general secretary Fatma Samoura as “the only legitimate leader of the TTFA, recognised by FIFA and Concacaf”, said on Monday, “Mr Wallace and his team will not be getting any money from anywhere, and nor will they be allowed to sign any cheques on behalf of the TTFA.
“They have control of the bank account now and we’ll have to wait on the CAS hearing,” Hadad continued. “But we will seek alternative ways of dealing with the issue. If better sense can’t prevail and they want to keep control of the accounts, because they want to put the bank’s back up against a wall, that’s their call.
“They’re interfering with people’s salaries. At the end of the day, who in their right mind will remove somebody from office and leave them signing cheques?”
Hadad, who is a businessman by profession, also commented on the letter issued by Wallace on Monday.
“They’re also circulating a letter from the TTFA, on a TTFA letterhead, and they’re not allowed to do that,” Hadad said. “That is fraud. You were removed, on March 17th, you were given a letter saying you were removed. You need to abide by that.”
Wallace, through his attorney Gayle, issued a pre-action protocol letter to First Citizens’ general manager Kinols Forde on April 17, declaring that Wallace and his executive members were the sole signatories to the TTFA’s bank accounts.
Wallace said on Monday, “As the president of the FA, I am willing to do what I have to do, to make sure that people get paid.”
The former T&T men’s football team manager pointed out, “As far as I’m concerned, I have not resigned as the president of the Football Association. Therefore, as far as I’m concerned, I am still the president. If the president has to do ‘x’ for the people to get paid, I am willing to do that. I’m not abdicating my responsibilities at all.”
Asked about the process for the distribution of funds, Wallace replied, “I’m hoping that, when the monies come, that (Ramdhan) will consult me, and then we’ll take it from there.”
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Who the hell This Robert Hadad think he is ? Robert Hadad you should be the last person using the term fraud as it relates to football matters , be reminded you were fraudulently inserted to the so called normalisation committee by ( in funk tino ) and he gang @ Fifa ! Robert Hadad yuh brave oui !
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Captains butt heads over wages.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
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“They’re also circulating a letter from the TTFA, on a TTFA letterhead, and they’re not allowed to do that,” Hadad said. “That is fraud. You were removed, on March 17th, you were given a letter saying you were removed. You need to abide by that.
Well, Mr. Chairman, although it isn't ideal, it isn't fraudulent ... but it does go to the heart of the matter contended.
Everything in due season. Everyone in the country is on notice as to the state of play. Be still and do yuh best and lehwe see how the cookie crumbles, nah. Remember ah tell yuh everyday won't be Carnival?
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Captains butt heads over wages.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
...
“They’re also circulating a letter from the TTFA, on a TTFA letterhead, and they’re not allowed to do that,” Hadad said. “That is fraud. You were removed, on March 17th, you were given a letter saying you were removed. You need to abide by that.
Well, Mr. Chairman, although it isn't ideal, it isn't fraudulent ... but it does go to the heart of the matter contended.
Everything in due season. Everyone in the country is on notice as to the sWho the hell This Robert Hadad think he is ? Robert Hadad you should be the last person using the term fraud as it relates to football matters , be reminded you were fraudulently inserted to the so called normalisation committee by ( in funk tino ) and he gang @ Fifa ! Robert Hadad yuh brave oui !
tate of play. Be still and do yuh best and lehwe see how the cookie crumbles, nah. Remember ah tell yuh everyday won't be Carnival?
So tings go sometimes,yuh right,he shouldn't be chatting bout fraud.
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Hadad, TTFA technical staffs discuss strategies.
T&T Guardian Reports.
Chairman of the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee Robert Hadad, in the first meeting with coaches assigned to the National Teams’ programmes outlined strategies that will reverse the fortunes of T&T football.
In a zoom video session on Wednesday night, Hadad, a businessman also discussed ways to resume all programmes, contracts and remuneration, given the limitations due to current coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.
In addressing the staff members, Hadad said: “This is a brand new time for all of us. I am not here to play the blame game. I am here to fix the game of football. I never had any idea that I would be here today. I want to sit with you all and really work out what it is we need to do to get the football to where it needs to go.”
He added: “What I can tell you is what I know very well is business, and my team and I will focus on how we get out from the debts we are in. And we have to get out of these debts so we can plan a way forward. Football is not in a lost place. It’s just in a disorganised, deranged place and we just need to get it back together.”
Technical Director Dion La Foucade, who chaired the meeting commended the members for utilising the past few weeks to connect to their players and fellow staff members for online learning and team meetings. And Hadad committed to holding further discussions with each team, specific to their respective programmes and scope of work and requirements. “We will meet on an individual team basis, on an individual group basis. We will be talking to all of you with respect to your individual contracts and we will spend time with each one of you. And we will talk of what we expect of each national team,” he said.
Hadad asked each member to maintain their mental and physical wellbeing during the current pandemic. “Preserve your physical and mental health as best as possible. We may have disagreements as we go along. But what I will tell you is that I am the person that will try my best, my team and myself, to find the right path so that we can move forward in a very positive manner.”
Among those who attended the meeting were: Terry Fenwick (senior men’s head coach) and his assistant coaches; Ryan Augustine and Chad Appoo (Beach Football coaches); Constantine Konstin (Futsal coach and his assistant coaches); Derek King (Under-20 head coach and his assistants); Richard Hood (Women’s U17 and 20 coach and his assistant coaches); Angus Eve (Men’s Under-17 coach and his assistants);
Jason Spence (Girls Under- U15s coach and his assistant coaches) Keith Jeffreys (Boys Under-15 coach and his assistants);
Kelvin Jack (National goalkeeping coach) and Yale Antoine (Administrative and technical support staff).
“I am please with how the meeting went. There is nothing that I want more than to see T&T football in a better place. The speed at which you saw the Home of Football opened is the speed at which you are going to see a football field get green again. And I am going to fight every day for more”, Hadad said.
Hadad who was appointed to the committee alongside banker Nigel Romano and Environmentalist Attorney Judy Daniel has since been in conflict with ousted president William Wallace and his vice presidents Clynt Taylor, Joseph Sam Phillips and Susan Joseph-Warrick, for the right to run the affairs of the sport after he and team were appointed by FIFA on March 27. Meanwhile, Wallace is maintaining that he’s still the president following the TTFA annual general meeting (AGM) election which he won on November 24 last year.
The ousted executive is pursuing justice through the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) after the FIFA moved in on March 17 and appointed a normalisation committee due to a burdening debt of $50 million, coupled with an inability to show ways of managing the football association’s financial affairs.
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NC rescues 3 T&T footballers stranded in El Salvador.
T&T Guardian Reports.
T&T Football Association (TTFA) led by the FIFA Normalization Committee (NC) sprung into action to assist three national footballers, who Guardian Media Sports reported on Thursday, were left stranded in El Salvador.
The NC, which is headed by businessman Robert Hadad and comprises attorney Judy Daniel and retired banker Nigel Romano, has teamed up with the Unicomer Group and the El Salvador Football Federation (FESFUT) to ensure that national footballers Jomal Williams, Jamal Jack and Jomoul Francois, currently stranded in El Salvador, are kept safe and healthy until they can make their way back to T&T in light of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions.
The players, who have each represented the Soca Warriors senior team, were playing in El Salvador's Primera Division for the 2019/20 season but were facing increasing pressure to meet their daily demands after that country's government implemented lockdowns which forced the cancellation of the remainder of the season.
Defender Jack offered his genuine appreciation to all those involved in making the provisions possible.
“Mr Robert Hadad, a heartfelt thanks to you and your team for reaching out to us. We appreciate what you did for us,” said Jack. “I am sincerely grateful for the assistance.”
Jack and Francois joined El Salvadorian clubs Jocoro FC and Independiente FC San Vicente respectively in Januar while compatriot Williams signed for AD Isidro Metapan in July.
In March, the government of El Salvador declared a national quarantine in the fight against COVID-19 and has imposed strict measures to reduce the spread of the virus which has directly limited the footballers' movements and access to food and other supplies.
Managing Director of Unicomer (Trinidad) Ltd Clive Fletcher liaised with Unicomer Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mario Siman to ensure that the players are now housed together and taken care of until T&T's borders are reopened.
The Unicomer Group operates in 27 countries from its headquarters in El Salvador and operates retail brands of the Unicomer Caribbean such as Courts, Courts Optical, Ashley Furniture HomeStore, RadioShack, Lucky Dollar and Servitech.
"TTFA would also like to acknowledge the tremendous assistance offered by Meybely Lopez and the president of the El Salvador Football Federation, and the player's clubs in making the arrangements possible," according to the football association's release.
"The TTFA will continue to communicate with the players to ensure that they are as comfortable as possible until they can return home. The players have expressed thanks to the Unicomer Group and the El Salvador Football Federation for their continued support."
Thank You from T&T trio based in El Salvador (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe70THfmtfc&feature=emb_title)
RELATED NEWS
Hadad takes credit for helping stranded Jomal, Jamal and Jomoul; Wallace kept out of loop.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).
Jomal, Jamal and Jomoul are now under one roof in El Salvador. It might sound like the making of a sitcom but in fact it is one of multiple stories about the impact of Covid-19 on Trinidad and Tobago internationals across the globe.
In this case, 26-year-old Jomal Williams, 32-year-old Jamal Jack and 24-year-old Jomoul Francois were playing professionally in El Salvador’s Primera División, only to find themselves trapped abroad when travel restrictions hit. El Salvador’s football season was scrapped and they are unable to return to Trinidad.
Williams has 19 senior international caps for the Soca Warriors with two goals while Francois and Jack have three and two appearances for the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team respectively.
A release from Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) media manager Shaun Fuentes claimed that the Fifa-appointed normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad reached out to help. (The release was sent via email as the TTFA’s website is down due to non-payment since Hadad took charge).
“The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association led by the Fifa normalisation committee has worked with the Unicomer Group and the El Salvador Football Federation (FESFUT),” stated the release, “to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago footballers Jomal Williams, Jamal Jack and Jomoul Francois—currently stranded in El Salvador—are kept safe and healthy until they can make their way back to T&T in light of Covid-19 restrictions.”
Unicomer (Trinidad) Ltd, a group of companies which includes popular furniture store Courts, also got in on the act.
“Managing Director of Unicomer (Trinidad) Ltd, Clive Fletcher, liaised with Unicomer Group CEO Mario Siman to ensure that the players are now housed together and taken care of until T&T’s borders are re-opened,” stated the TTFA release. “TTFA would also like to acknowledge the tremendous assistance offered by Meybely Lopez and the president of the El Salvador Football Federation, and the players’ clubs in making the arrangements possible.
“TTFA will continue to communicate with the players to ensure that they are as comfortable as possible until their return and thanks the Unicomer Group and the El Salvador Football Federation for their continued support.”
Williams represents AD Isidro Metapán and lives in Santa Ana in west El Salvador while Jack’s employers, Jocoro FC, are based in the north eastern side of the country and Francois plays for Independiente FC in central El Salvador.
“Mr Hadad, a heartfelt thanks to you and your team for reaching out to us,” stated Jack, in the TTFA release. “We really appreciate what you did for us. I am sincerely grateful for the assistance.”
But what exactly did Hadad do? Wired868 asked the normalisation committee chairman for more details.
“The normalisation committee reached out to the El Salvador Football Federation to see what assistance could be made,” said Hadad, via a WhatsApp message. “And then Unicomer reached out and came on board to help and we all continued to work together with the players to get them into a more comfortable situation as quickly as possible.”
And what was the assistance?
Hadad did not give further details. However, one of the three players explained that Unicomer (Trinidad) reached out to an employee based in El Salvador, Meybely Lopez, who arranged to have Francois and Jack driven to Williams’ apartment in Santa Ana.
It was a four hour drive and the players are very grateful for the support. The curfew regulations in place in El Salvador meant that Francois and Jack were unable to even travel across the country.
There was no other relief provided to the players and none sought. Williams’ apartment is leased by his club and they are not about to turn him out. The Trinidadians believe they are well stocked with food for the moment.
Still, they are anxious to return home while Williams is nervous that his passport expires on 2 June.
As it turns out, the chain of events was as follows: El Salvador-based players reached out to Pro League chairman Brent Sancho; Sancho contacted Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith; Griffith passed information to Minister of National Security Stuart Young; and Young alerted normalisation committee chairman, Hadad.
Incidentally, TTFA president William Wallace also tried to assist the three players and contacted Young for help.
At just after midday on Friday, Wallace emailed Young in his capacity as Minister of National Security:
“Good afternoon Mr Minister, I hope all is well. I know that you are well aware with what is happening with the TTFA and the FIFA and the status of the elected officers. I am reaching out to you from as the elected president of the TTFA as well as on a humanitarian grounds to facilitating the return of three of our national players who are stuck in El Salvador and are pleading to return home.
“Could you please consider this request since these players went to ply their trade with the full blessings of the TTFA. Regards.”
At the time of Wallace’s email, the three footballers were still scattered across El Salvador. It is uncertain whether concrete plans were already in place to have them united.
Young, according to Wallace, did not respond to his communique. The TTFA president counted at least three emails sent to the national security minister since Fifa controversially sought to replace him with Hadad at the helm of the local football body. Young, who recognises Hadad as the de facto TTFA boss, has not responded to a single one.
Sancho, a former World Cup 2006 player, has also publicly thrown his support behind the normalisation committee.
The three players will accept help from wherever they can get it. Griffith sought to assure Williams that an expired passport is not catastrophic, as the Ministry of National Security can arrange an emergency order paper to get him home.
At present, the main issue is logistics. There are no direct flights from El Salvador to Trinidad. So, if the boys are to return on a commercial flight, they must first travel to another Central American country—in the midst of a global pandemic.
“I am trying to see how I can get them out of El Salvador,” Griffith told Wired868. “[This situation] was forwarded to the relevant authorities and I am liaising with Brent Sancho on it. There is no flight from there for Trinidad and we can’t charter a flight for just three persons. But we are working on a solution.
“Hopefully we will have them out of there long before his passport expires.”
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DJW don't advice me — Hadad.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Robert Hadad, chairman of the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee has dismissed accusations that he has been taking advice from former T&T Football Association president David John-Williams during his management of the football association.
The claims were made during an interview with Ramesh Ramdhan, the football association general secretary on Monday, who accused Hadad of unfair treatment as he attempts to receive outstanding salaries from the normalisation committee for the past six months.
The former T&T and FIFA referee appears to have been the only member of the T&TFA administrative staff who is yet to receive his wages while the other staff members have been paid. Ramdhan said, apart from not paid his salaries, he did not get a reason for the delay.
Ramdhan has since threatened to write to the FIFA to inform them about the situation, as well as take legal action against Hadad, a director of the HADCO Group of Companies, and the normalisation committee, which also comprises former banker Nigel Romano and attorney Judy Daniel.
However, during an interview with Guardian Media Sports on Tuesday, Hadad, the chairman of the normalsiastion committee which is responsible for the governance of T&T football since March 27 with a mandate to: Run the TTFA'S daily affairs; to establish a debt repayment plan that is implementable by the TTFA, and to organise and conduct elections of a new TTFA Executive Committee for a four-year, has made it clear that he was not being taking advice from John-Williams but was conducting his investigation into the state of football in the country.
"I am speaking to David and William (former president William Wallace) because a lot of the decision they made when I am investigating I need to speak to them. I need to ask them questions on the Home of Football. David specifically, has a lot of questions to answer. So to say I am taking advice from him, that's not true."
The T&T football boss also responded to concerns by Ramdhan that he is not being paid, Haded responded by saying that he has to ensure that every claim is legal and legitimate. A concern that was raised by the Board of Directors of the T&TFA which did not approve the two-year contract that was arranged by then TTFA president William Wallace.
According to Hadad, Ramdhan is one of many asking for monies he believes is owed to him. Everybody who is owed money, has a legitimate claim and I am bombarded by a lot of people in the payables, so a lot of people have been asking about the money we owe them and he (Ramdhan) is one of them. We have to investigate the legality and legitimacy of every claim, and until I verify every one individually. So, coaches, we are in the process right now. Just like I said with the admin staff, we were in the process and we are in the process. But this is not an overnight process. It takes a while to verify it. You need to interview people one by one and unfortunately, even part of that interview process we have to go through the legitimacy of it."
Ramdhan said, "The United TTFA administration was also bombarded by people, but I am not in that category. I gave my service of self secretary for the performance of a duty, a constitutional duty, and I belong to the staff, I am the head of the secretariat. I have never bombarded you. In fact, I have never even asked about my salary."
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First off, that Guardian headline is a national tragedy.
Second, if you are not going to pay the man (Ramdhan) while paying others, at least have the perspicacity to glean that you should inform him of the adverse news, and any accompanying rationale for it, prior to acting. To believe that he would be permanently unaware of the payment of others is to be wallowing in ignorance. Then, of course, there is the issue of basic courtesy. Also, from a net strategic viewpoint it undermines the confidence building that should be part of a normalization process. Not to mention, the underlying decision-making has added to the volatility of an already incendiary reality.
That stated, Ramdhan is learning that his ass was not tagged with immunity for being "helpful".
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‘This is ridiculous!’ Hood and Eve slam lack of communication as coaches remain sidelined.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).
On 29 April 2020, Fifa-appointed normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad introduced himself to Trinidad and Tobago’s national football team coaches and promised to meet them shortly to discuss their existing contracts and owed remuneration.
Hadad, the co-CEO of family owned business HadCo Limited, assured coaches that he was introducing a professional approach to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) and was only ever a phone call or text message away.
Four months later, Hadad is yet to fulfil his promise; and Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-17 Team head coach and National Under-20 assistant coach Angus Eve said football staff feel totally neglected and disregarded.
“He said at [the April meeting] he would meet with coaches individually about the validity of their contracts, monies to be paid out and the way forward,” Eve told Wired868. “Since then we haven’t heard anything from Mr Hadad. I called his assistant, Amiel [Mohammed], between three weeks to a month ago to ascertain what is the status of that meeting that Mr Hadad said he would have with us and if we are going to have those meetings at all.
“Amiel said he would check and there has been no communication back to me since.”
Eve said requests for information from technical director Dion La Foucade and director of football Richard Piper also yielded nothing, with both men claiming to be in the dark.
At present, the normalisation committee does not have control over the TTFA’s bank account due to a legal conflict with besieged football president William Wallace. However, Hadad’s normalisation committee followed a precedent set by previous local football bosses in directing Concacaf to wire salaries straight to employees’s accounts.
Piper and La Foucade were both paid this way along with office staff. Inexplicably, unlike previous occasions when this has been done, Hadad has not ensured that coaches are paid—and he has offered no explanation about the snub.
“We are in a pandemic and no industry has suffered the way entertainers and footballers have struggled,” said Eve. “We are owed salaries and as far as I know the Fifa money is available—even if it isn’t here in Trinidad. Fifa even gave [the TTFA] an extra grant of US$500,000.
“I am very happy that the office staff got paid but we are employees of the TTFA also. So what about us?”
Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Under-20 and Under-17 Team head coach Richard Hood agreed.
Last December, Hood became the first coach to begin training under the Wallace-led administration. He inherited a team that failed to get to the final four of the Caribbean Under-17 competition in 2018 and, in February, turned them into Concacaf Under-20 quarterfinalists—just 90 minutes away from a World Cup berth.
Hood and his staff have not received a cent for their efforts.
“We have not heard anything from the normalisation committee following the Zoom meeting we had so very long ago, when the chairman assured us that individual meetings would be arranged with individual staff,” said Hood. “What has become of that? We have worked extremely hard and I dare say, we have done well. But really that shouldn’t even be a consideration.
“The fact is that we have worked and we deserve to be rewarded for such work.”
Hadad, as always, did not respond to requests for comment from Wired868.
Trinidad and Tobago football, Eve said, deserves better than this. Trinidad and Tobago’s all-time most capped senior player in full international matches, Eve started all three games in his country’s debut in a Fifa tournament, the Portugal 1991 Fifa World Youth Championship, and wore ‘red, black and white’ in three senior World Cup qualifying series—including the successful 2006 campaign.
Since then, Eve has become a serial winner at Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) level as Naparima College head coach and is no slouch in the Pro League, where he leads Club Sando.
But, as a national coach, he feels let down.
“First, I want to say thank you to [technical committee chairman] Keith look Loy and William Wallace for giving me the opportunity to be a national coach again—because my record speaks for itself locally, yet I hadn’t been a national coach for nine years,” said Eve. “But I feel on both sides of the fence, I haven’t been communicated to. I respect Wallace a lot; but they went to court and they didn’t come and talk to the coaches, the zones, the football parents, etc, before they did so.
“The action they took affects all of us; and seeing that they brought us in as coaches, they should have at least communicated with us.
“And it is the same for ‘Rob’ [Hadad] who hasn’t had any communication with us at all—we only found out that other employees were being paid through the media. There is no communication from both sides of the fence to the stakeholders of football.”
Hood, the Police FC head coach/technical director, was especially miffed at the initial reason Hadad gave for their non-payment.
Hadad, on 29 April, told coaches that he needed time to review their contracts. Incidentally, La Foucade and Piper received contracts after Hood, yet were both paid.
“I think that it’s a bit ridiculous that after six months or so, the current administration cannot sort out the situation regarding coaches’ salaries, as it pertains to their contracts and what is owed,” said Hood. “Particularly in the case of [my] staff that obviously worked from December to the culmination of the Women’s Under-20 tournament. That cannot be disputed.
“If it is a case of verifying our terms of employment as has been reported, then I would think that a simple meeting could be arranged where we can supply a copy of our contracts. So of course I’m frustrated by the lack of communication as well.”
The normalisation committee’s mandate, by Fifa, is:
1. to run the TTFA’s daily affairs;
2. to establish a debt repayment plan that is implementable by the TTFA;
3. to review and amend the TTFA Statutes (and other regulations where necessary) and to ensure their compliance with the FIFA Statutes and requirements before duly submitting them for approval to the TTFA Congress;
4. to organise and to conduct elections of a new TTFA Executive Committee for a four-year mandate.
From all accounts, Hadad has failed miserably in each aspect.
Five months after his appointment, the normalisation committee—which also comprises of vice-chair Judy Daniel and Nigel Romano—is yet to meet the TTFA’s general membership while creditors are as frustrated as the football coaches over Hadad’s perceived disregard to their grievances.
Eve didn’t single out the businessman, though. He said the local game has receive sub-standard administration for much longer than the past six months.
“We need better governance and I would love somebody in football who has football at heart—regardless of what is going on with you personally, you must put the game first,” said Eve, who noted that gifted players like Kevin Molino and budding stars like Molik Jesse Khan are the ones who will suffer most. “I am thinking very seriously about running for this kind of [administrative] post because I don’t seem to be making the contribution that our local game needs as a coach.
“We in football need to talk to all stakeholders when we are making decisions because we are representing everybody. It cannot be that I am on top so I don’t have to tell you anything and I can just go about my business and do my thing. That is egotism.
“I hope we are mature enough as a society to understand what I am saying. I am not on either side of the fence. I am only pointing out how both sides can do better, so we can go forward.”
Look Loy disputed Eve’s claim that the TTFA abandoned its coaches, though—even though they are unable to pay them, since Fifa secretary general Fatma Samoura said they only recognise Hadad as head of the local game.
“For myself i created a whats app group with staff from all the different teams, not just coaches, and I have always updated them,” said Look Loy. “So even if it is an informal method of communication, I do communicate with the coaches and just today I spoke to two coaches.
“Of course it is in an unofficial capacity because it has never been explained what is the role of the technical committee under the normalisation committee, which is the only body that Fifa says it recognises.
“[…] I cannot talk for Wallace and I am not the president but I can safely say that I am in touch with coaches and other staff. So to say that nobody has spoken to them—I don’t know how else to respond that.”
Although Fifa announced the removal of the TTFA president and vice-presidents Clynt Taylor, Susan Joseph-Warrick and Sam Philip, the football body’s committees remain in place. However, Hadad has not communicated with Look Loy since he took up the reins on 27 March.
During that period, Men’s National Senior Team head coach Terry Fenwick held multiple training sessions. Otherwise, the local game appears to remain dormant and rudderless—Covid-19 restrictions notwithstanding.
Wired868 was unable to reach Wallace for comment.
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Why? This eh no surprise that the terms of the appointed committee has not been bet-
He acting ' normal' li,e all the other TTFA leaders before.
That is how we does role we doh need ah normalization committee - we done know how to emulate FIFA's business -
One leader build and get her personal centre
Re for excellence- thanks FIFA
Another get - home of football- thanks FIFA -- ooops he dint have time to move in and another dog come take he bone now that dog fighting he master .
Lead ent we Normal? :)
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Hadad: It’s been problem after problem.
By Narissa Fraser (Newsday).
Head of TT Football Association (TTFA) normalisation committee Robert Hadad says it has been problem after problem since his appointment after FIFA threatened to ban T&T if the ousted executive does not obey its statutes. The world governing body of football issued its final warning on Wednesday.
On March 17, FIFA removed TTFA president William Wallace and his executive, who were elected in November 2019 and, instead, appointed a normalisation committee led by Hadad – a businessman – to run TTFA’s affairs.
Wallace and his executive appealed their removal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. The team later indicated it did not believe CAS would give it a “fair hearing.” So on May 18, they appealed to the local High Court.
Since then, the two bodies have been at loggerheads over which playing field their legal battle should kick off on. FIFA insists the matter can only and “must” be heard at CAS.
The most recent development was on August 12, when Justice Carol Gobin denied FIFA’s request to strike out the claim because its rules prevent member associations from starting proceedings against it in the local courts. FIFA has since appealed.
But in a letter to Hadad on Wednesday, FIFA reiterated the matter should be heard at CAS, adding that it is “very concerned regarding the decision of the claim and the argument used to dismiss FIFA’s application.
“In this context, we draw your attention to article 58 of the FIFA statutes which expressly contains the prohibition of recourse to ordinary courts of law unless specifically provided for.
“FIFA takes such a principle with utmost seriousness and therefore considers that it is the responsibility of its member associations to ensure that this principle is implemented...A failure to comply with this directive would result in the commencement of suspension proceedings via the relevant FIFA bodies.”.”
It said the ousted executive has until September 16 to withdraw its claim from the local High Court.
Speaking with Newsday on Wednesday afternoon, Hadad said, “I am trying to do a job of getting football back in good stead and (it has been) from one problem to the next...It is self-explanatory. FIFA is clear that all member associations must follow their statutes.”
He later issued a release, saying, “FIFA has been clear from the day of the appointment of the normalisation committee, and on several occasions since, that the committee alone has the mandate to run and manage the affairs of the TTFA. FIFA’s letter reaffirms this position.
“Members of the previous administration know very well that FIFA statutes require all FIFA member associations to manage disputes through CAS. And members of the previous administration also know very well the consequences for any member which disregards that key requirement for FIFA membership. Ultimately, our teams and their coaches and players, and of course our fans, are the most important thing for the future of football in our country.”
Calls to Wallace went unanswered, but Newsday understands he wrote to FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday.
The letter said, “Normalisation is a draconian and unfair act which seeks to undermine the independence of the TTFA and ride roughshod over the will of the electorate who voted for the United TTFA slate in November 2019. Added to this, the fact is, that in all the countries that were normalised, in all instances, it is clear that the incumbent executive was in breach of FIFA statutes or acted in a manner that justified FIFA’s intervention. In the case of TT, the two reasons |given by FIFA for their intervention clearly had nothing to do with the new executive.”
Wallace said his team remains “willing and ready to work with FIFA to resolve the outstanding issues” but normalisation should have never been an option.
“By refusing to work together with us, and by repeatedly refusing to engage in mediation as we have called not less than six times for FIFA to do, you run the risk of irreparably damaging football in TT.“FIFA cannot continue to ignore our calls to mediate an agreement between the TTFA and FIFA and maintain any moral authority. FIFA must recognize and work with the duly elected executive of the TTFA. Likewise, TTFA must recognize, and does, the need for financial assistance and guidance from FIFA in resolving TTFA’s current financial malaise.If you will not talk and if no agreement is reached, the TTFA is left with no choice but to continue on the path FIFA has forced us down through the courts.”
TTFA technical committee chairman Keith Look Loy said he preferred to comment after he chats with the team’s lawyers – Dr Emir Crowne, Matthew Gayle, Jason Jones and Crystal Paul – on Thursday.
Gayle told Newsday he found the latest development to be “regrettable,” adding that the letter was an “overt threat.”
Look Loy later sent Newsday a response to Hadad’s release, which was sent to the ousted executive as instructed by FIFA. He said, “Oh, he (saying he) cares about players and coaches. The day after they were locked out of the Ato Boldon Stadium, and after leaving them high and dry for five months.
“FIFA demonstrates it is prepared to throw him under the bus by charging him with getting the ‘former officers’ to drop the case.”
This story was originally published with the title "United TTFA gets September 16 deadline before FIFA ban" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.
The world governing body of football, FIFA, has issued a final warning to the ousted TT Football Association (TTFA) executive to obey its statutes. FIFA said failure to comply "would result in the commencement of suspension proceedings via the relevant FIFA bodies."
On March 17, FIFA removed TTFA president William Wallace and his executive, who were elected in November 2019, instead appointing a normalisation committee led by businessman Robert Hadad to run TTFA's affairs.
Wallace and his executive appealed their removal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. The team later indicated it did not believe CAS would give it a “fair hearing." Instead – on May 18 – they appealed to the local High Court.
Since then, the two bodies have been at loggerheads over which playing field their legal battle should kick off on. FIFA insists the matter can only and "must" be heard at CAS.
The most recent development was on August 12, when Justice Carol Gobin denied FIFA’s request to strike out the claim because its rules prevent member associations from starting proceedings against it in the local courts. FIFA has since appealed.
But in a letter to Hadad on Wednesday, FIFA reiterated the matter should be heard at CAS, adding that it is "very concerned regarding the decision of the claim and the argument used to dismiss FIFA's application.
"In this context, we draw your attention to article 58 of the FIFA statutes which expressly contains the prohibition of recourse to ordinary courts of law unless specifically provided for.
"FIFA takes such a principle with utmost seriousness and therefore considers that it is the responsibility of its member associations to ensure that this principle is implemented."
It said the ousted executive has until September 16 to withdraw its claim from the local High Court.
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This guy is a joker
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Hadad as I said before is a figurehead and was a recommendation from the govt
Djw is running the show from behind the curtain and has then govt support
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Hadad as I said before is a figurehead and was a recommendation from the govt
Djw is running the show from behind the curtain and has then govt support
Present the ocular proof until then making ludicrous assertions is just attempts at mudding the well.
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Dear editor: Is Hadad fronting for DJW? Does toeing the line with Fifa really help our development?
Wired868.com.
“[…] The reality is most of our current footballers do not have a real future, as the standard of our football has dropped to an all time low.
“[…] Why are we overly concerned about a Fifa ban when there is much groundwork to be done to address the more pressing need of the viability and sustainability of professional football in T&T?”
The following Letter to the Editor on the impasse between the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association and Fifa was submitted to Wired868 by Louis Carrington:
It is clearly evident that there is more in the mortar than on the pestle. There are questions that need to be answered urgently if right-thinking persons are to respect the Fifa normalisation committee.
Firstly, one must ask who is Robert Hadad and how did he become the person Fifa would have selected to head the normalisation committee. The answer to this question would definitely help in connecting the dots in the otherwise uncertain map.
This is especially so given that Fifa’s original choice was the former finance manager under the previous administration, who might I add was already at the time subject to an investigation by the William Wallace administration as part of the dealing of the David John-Williams administration.
Secondly, Hadad in his capacity as normalisation head has suspended the general secretary of the TTFA for, as he stated, contracts entered into by the TTFA. Ironically though, the general secretary was the only administrator from the Wallace administration standing and possibly too much involved in the affairs of the TTFA.
It therefore begs the question; and Hadad should seek to clear the air as a matter of urgency, as it is not sufficient to blanket the issue by saying ‘contracts entered into by the TTFA’. There is need for specific references so as to clarify the nature and date of these said contracts.
Clearly, whatever is the agenda of Fifa, it is of such great importance that they are prepared to do whatever it takes to secure their position—even if in the eyes of the rational man, the dots do not connect and their approach is high-handed and draconian.
Is it that FIFA is complicit in its handling of matters of concern that it cannot afford to be aired publicly, hence the urgent need to ensure the following:
1. The removal of the duly elected executive by whatever means necessary.
2. That no one connected in anyway to the Wallace administration is in a position to report on the inner working of any cover up that may be in the making.
3. That Fifa is not subject public scrutiny in an open court.
4. That their anointed son continue to be in charge of football in T&T albeit in a clandestine manner.
To achieve these objectives, cloud the real issues with the threat of a ban of TTFA, which would have the effect of the sympathetic support from those who either have their own personal agenda or cannot be bothered to analyse the situation to ascertain what are the real issues.
To digress and address another issue that should in my view be a lot more important than Fifa’s proposed sanction: the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League, after many years, is still unable to market and sustain itself.
Many clubs have come and gone in the years, while others have barely survived. Survival being attributed to two main factors, which are the government subvention to clubs and/or clubs being in a negative position to its employees and creditors.
I raise this as an issue because I see it as having greater significance than asking the question of what will happen to aspiring footballers if a ban is imposed on TTFA. The reality is most of our current footballers do not have a real future, as the standard of our football has dropped to an all-time low.
As a people we have very short memories. In order for T&T to record a victory we were forced to engage Anguilla, the lowest ranked Fifa nation in 2019.
Currently, we do not produce footballers consistently capable of staking a claim on the international market. Our players who ply their trade overseas now do so in lands far afield with little or no historical tradition of being top football nations, or in the MLS and USA lower divisions.
Many see the MLS as below par and it is often termed as the ‘retirement league’. It therefore begs the question: why are we overly concerned about a Fifa ban when there is much groundwork to be done to address the more pressing need of the viability and sustainability of professional football in T&T?
If government was to remove its subvention to Pro League teams—and that could be a likely possibility in these times and in the future—how many of those teams would survive?
My people, wake up remove the proverbial yampee from your eyes and face the scene and unseen dragons head on.
Change only comes with commitment and sacrifice. To allow Fifa to continue to bully member associations and get unbridled support from those who see no further than their noses is to continue to toe the line.
Let’s demand answers. The beginning of lunacy is to do the same thing repeatedly and expect a different result.
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Hadad: Let's pray for T&T's football
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (Newsday).
CHAIRMAN of the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee Robert Hadad believes divine intervention may be the only solution to help save the TT Football Association (TTFA) from escaping possible sanctions from the sport’s global governing body.
Owing to the ongoing legal entanglement between FIFA and the ousted TTFA executive, Hadad, like many other local football enthusiasts, breathed a sigh of relief when there was no mention of the debacle by FIFA president Gianni Infantino during his address to Congress on Friday.
Since the removal of TTFA president William Wallace and his vice-presidents from the helm of the local fraternity, in March, after just three months in charge, the ejected administrators are contesting the legality of FIFA’s decision to dethrone the executive and install the Hadad-led committee to run its daily affairs.
According to FIFA, the decision to remove TTFA’s top-order was based on its “low financial management methods” and “massive debt.”
Wallace is the head of the United TTFA team that successfully challenged for leadership of the TTFA in November 2019. Its ousted members are Clynt Taylor, Susan Joseph-Warrick and Joseph Sam Phillip.
On September 14, Justice Carol Gobin, in the Port of Spain High Court, granted an injunction to the United TTFA to stop Tuesday’s proposed Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), which was called by the normalisation committee to deal with United TTFA’s legal battle against FIFA.
FIFA, however, on August 26, gave the United TTFA a deadline of September 16 to withdraw their case from the TT High Court and have it heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), or face disciplinary action (either a ban or suspension) at Friday’s FIFA Congress.
When this matter was overlooked at Congress, a letter was sent out on the same day by FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura to Hadad which gave T&T a final deadline of September 23 “to withdraw all types of claims against FIFA before the T&T courts and comply with the obligations under the FIFA statutes.
“Failure to comply with this directive within this revised deadline will result in the matter being brought to the attention of the relevant FIFA bodies to decide on the suspension of the TTFA (TT Football Association).”
On this most recent statement to the ousted executive by FIFA, Hadad kept his words short but called on TT’s football loyalists to lift the future of the sport in prayer as the possibility of suspension or expulsion still looms.
“I’m just happy we lived to fight another day,” he said after the legal matter was not discussed at Congress.
“Join me in saying some prayers for this country’s football. That’s all I could ask for anyone to do,” he added.
When pressed further for a comment on FIFA’s exclusion of the matter at Congress and future of T&T football, Hadad replied, “I don’t want to make any comment more because this is a court matter. I don’t really want to say anything at this point. Bear with me until we see what happens on Wednesday.”
United TTFA, however, has stood their ground against FIFA and remain undeterred by the new deadline date set by the governing body. According to United TTFA member, Keith Look Loy, the United TTFA has no intention of withdrawing its case from the local court even though they risk FIFA sanctions.
If the TT High Court rules in favour of Wallace’s regime and deems the installation of the normalisation committee illegal, thus confirming Wallace’s administration as legitimate leaders of TTFA, an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) will be held to deliberate the fraternity’s leadership moving forward.
This was revealed in a document issued by removed TTFA president Wallace, on Wednesday.
They remain confident of a legal victory but the statement also read, "Should United TTFA not withdraw its High Court case against FIFA, we expect the matter to be settled in October. If the High Court decides against TTFA, we here pledge that we shall drop the matter and not pursue any appeal.”
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Let's pray that figure heads and puppets of corruptive elements at all levels be eradicated- let's pray for competence intelligence and visionary leaders
Let's pray for transparency - let's pray that FIFA would cease from brokering backdoor deals and provide a model of good governance.
Let's pray that what appears to be Normal is free of an agenda reeking of
Self indulgence
Yes and let's pray for those who are suffering and paying the price for all the bs- our players, our youths, our nation- once more let's pray from all forms of foreign domination.
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I initially suspected naivete on his part, but it's pretty clear that ignorance and a callous disregard for the future of the game is a more fitting descriptor.
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Hadad: I’m not in charge of football
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
THERE seems to be a level of indecision concerning who is entrusted with the role of running the affairs of local football.
On Tuesday, chairman of the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee Robert Hadad said “I’m not in charge” when asked about the situation regarding payment of salaries to the the TT technical staff members.
And ousted TTFA (TT Football Association) president William Wallace commented that the issue over who should conduct the affairs of the sport locally is before the High Court.
On Monday, the coaching steering committee, in a letter addressed to Wallace (who is the head of the United TTFA group that successfully contested the TTFA elections last November), said the normalisation committee (comprising Hadad, Judy Daniel and Nigel Romano) was unable to pay the coaches as FIFA has stopped its funding, in light of its suspension of the TTFA.
Last Thursday, FIFA suspended the TTFA in violation of FIFA statutes. The United TTFA was late in withdrawing its case against FIFA over its decision to remove the TTFA executive and install a normalisation committee in March.
Hadad, when contacted on Tuesday, said, “I have nothing to say to (anybody) about (any) topic.”
Pressed on the matter regarding the salaries for the technical staff members, Hadad remarked, “I have nothing to say. I’m not in charge of football. That’s for Wallace to do.”
He continued, “I have nothing to say for a long time. When this whole matter is resolved, then I might have a few things to say. At this time, talk to them.”
Asked if Hadad was ceding power to the United TTFA, Wallace laughed before responding, “All I can say is that it’s a matter before the court at the moment. But FIFA has been recognising (the normalisation committee) as the TTFA and FIFA has indicated that do not recognise me.
“Any funding that has to come to TT football has to come through him. At this point in time, I don’t know if that has changed, but that is the last thing I know, that is the TTFA as far as FIFA is concerned.”
Wallace pointed out, “I don’t know what’s going on at all. That is the matter that is before the court, to determine who’s in charge of local football. For the time being, the court seems to think the United TTFA are the people in charge but FIFA has a different view so that’s where we’re at.”
Asked if it’s just a virtual standstill, Wallace replied, “Yes.”
However, Wallace said, “(Hadad) was active and doing what he’s supposed to do. He was speaking to the coaches, he was getting money to pay staff, we never tried to stop anything. I never tried to stop the operations of the normalisation committee, except when they were going to call the (extraordinary general) meeting, which was illegal, because the court had a different opinion on that.”
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Hadad: I’m not in charge of football
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).
THERE seems to be a level of indecision concerning who is entrusted with the role of running the affairs of local football.
On Tuesday, chairman of the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee Robert Hadad said “I’m not in charge” when asked about the situation regarding payment of salaries to the the TT technical staff members.
And ousted TTFA (TT Football Association) president William Wallace commented that the issue over who should conduct the affairs of the sport locally is before the High Court.
On Monday, the coaching steering committee, in a letter addressed to Wallace (who is the head of the United TTFA group that successfully contested the TTFA elections last November), said the normalisation committee (comprising Hadad, Judy Daniel and Nigel Romano) was unable to pay the coaches as FIFA has stopped its funding, in light of its suspension of the TTFA.
Last Thursday, FIFA suspended the TTFA in violation of FIFA statutes. The United TTFA was late in withdrawing its case against FIFA over its decision to remove the TTFA executive and install a normalisation committee in March.
Hadad, when contacted on Tuesday, said, “I have nothing to say to (anybody) about (any) topic.”
Pressed on the matter regarding the salaries for the technical staff members, Hadad remarked, “I have nothing to say. I’m not in charge of football. That’s for Wallace to do.”
He continued, “I have nothing to say for a long time. When this whole matter is resolved, then I might have a few things to say. At this time, talk to them.”
Asked if Hadad was ceding power to the United TTFA, Wallace laughed before responding, “All I can say is that it’s a matter before the court at the moment. But FIFA has been recognising (the normalisation committee) as the TTFA and FIFA has indicated that do not recognise me.
“Any funding that has to come to TT football has to come through him. At this point in time, I don’t know if that has changed, but that is the last thing I know, that is the TTFA as far as FIFA is concerned.”
Wallace pointed out, “I don’t know what’s going on at all. That is the matter that is before the court, to determine who’s in charge of local football. For the time being, the court seems to think the United TTFA are the people in charge but FIFA has a different view so that’s where we’re at.”
Asked if it’s just a virtual standstill, Wallace replied, “Yes.”
However, Wallace said, “(Hadad) was active and doing what he’s supposed to do. He was speaking to the coaches, he was getting money to pay staff, we never tried to stop anything. I never tried to stop the operations of the normalisation committee, except when they were going to call the (extraordinary general) meeting, which was illegal, because the court had a different opinion on that.”
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Then who the fire truck is steering the ship? If he was given a mandate from FIFA should he not be dealing with the issues of contracts and the current mess?
Is that not what a normalization committee is for? To restore some semblance of normalacy? Of isthis man another " puppet head"
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It's a blistering admission from a man paid significantly more than Wallace to "run" TTFA football.
Will he be returning his FIFA salary?
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Hadad waits on FIFA
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).
NORMALISATION committee chairman Robert Hadad has sent the TT Football Association (TTFA) membership letter, which states their willingness to accept the normalisation committee, to FIFA.
On Sunday, Richard Ferguson on behalf of the TTFA membership, sent the letter to Hadad.
On Monday, in a Whatsapp message to Newsday, Hadad said he forwarded the letter to FIFA. “Yes I have forwarded the request and waiting on a reply.”
On Monday, Hadad also responded to the TTFA membership letter, saying, “The normalisation committee will discuss these matters with FIFA and Concacaf.”
On Sunday, at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), the majority of the TTFA membership voted to accept the normalisation committee to run local football. In doing so, they hope to remove William Wallace and vice presidents Clynt Taylor and Sam Phillip (United TTFA) from office.
Since March, Wallace and his team have been in a battle against FIFA concerning the world football body’s decision to replace the United TTFA and appoint the normalisation committee.
At the EGM, a total of 33 members were in favour of accepting the normalisation committee, while two members decided not to vote.
Santa Rosa FC and a Tobago Football Association representative did not vote. Three delegates did not respond when called upon. The EGM was chaired by Ferguson.
It was the second defeat in three days for Wallace after the Court of Appeal overturned Justice Carol Gobin’s High Court decision which stated FIFA acted illegally in removing Wallace’s executive.
Ferguson, in the letter to Hadad, said the way forward is “for the TTFA to fully comply with its obligation as a member of FIFA, recognising the legitimacy of the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee, and bringing its own statutes in line with the FIFA statutes.”
The TTFA membership letter also gave their commitment “to fully cooperate with the normalisation committee in the fulfilment of its mandate as stated in FIFA’s letter of March 17, 2020” and “be it further resolved that all court matters existing between the TTFA and FIFA shall be immediately brought to a stop.”
The motion was tabled by Osmond Downer, one of the delegates of the TT Football Referees Association, and was seconded by Keith Jeffrey of Central FC.
The TTFA members also said they regret what transpired over the past year.
“Let me take this opportunity to humbly apologize to you, the other members of the normalisation committee, FIFA, Concacaf and CFU (Caribbean Football Union) for any embarrassment and inconvenience caused by TTFA representatives over the last year. I also hope that a strong positive relationship can be re-established as we move forward for the betterment of football in TT.”
After the EGM, Wallace told Newsday he expected the outcome of the meeting.
“There (are) no surprises. Basically this is what the membership has been saying,” he said.
Wallace said it will not be necessary for him to officially resign.
“The point about resignation may be very moot simply because once the normalisation committee is recognised and accepted, it means that there will be no need for a resignation. Once that occurs there will be no need to resign from anything because the normalisation committee would automatically replace the officer.”
RELATED NEWS
Hadad gets TTFA communication, waiting on go-ahead.
By Roger Seepersad (T&T Express).
Over to FIFA
Chairman of the FIFA appointed normalisation committee Robert Hadad has confirmed that he has officially been informed of the decision of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) membership to recognise the legitimacy of the normalisation committee, however he is awaiting a response from FIFA as to the way forward for T&T football.
“I am still waiting on a reply from FIFA as to what is the next move. I have forwarded the letter from Mr (Richard) Ferguson and I am waiting on them (FIFA) to reply to me as to where we go from here,” Hadad told the Express yesterday.
He confirmed that he had received an official correspondence from the TTFA following an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on Sunday.
“Once I have a better, clearer indication of where they (FIFA) want to go, I will let you all know,” he added.
Sunday’s EGM comprised 38 delegates and 16 observers during which Osmond Downer, who is a delegate of the T&T Football Referees Association, tabled a motion recognising the legitimacy of the Committee and bring to an end all court matters between the TTFA and the world governing body.
The motion was seconded by Keith Jeffery of Central FC and was endorsed by the membership with 33 delegates voting in favour of the motion. Two delegates abstained from voting while three did not respond when called upon.
Chairman of the EGM, Ferguson, in his letter to Hadad entitled “TTFA Letter of Acquiescence to FIFA Normalisation” stated the TTFA’s intention to comply with FIFA’s normalisation committee and also included an apology from the TTFA for any “embarrassment” caused by “TTFA representatives”.
“Based on the meeting, the TTFA must advise that its members have agreed to abide with the conditions of the Normalisation Committee and will co-operate fully to ensure that the mandate of the Committee is realised.
“In addition, let me take this opportunity to humbly apologise to you, the other members of the Normalisation Committee, FIFA, CONCACAF, and CFU for any embarrassment and inconvenience caused by the TTFA representatives over the last year,” Ferguson wrote.
“I also hope that a strong positive relationship can be re-established as we move forward for the betterment of football in Trinidad and Tobago,” the letter stated.
The normalisation committee was appointed in March just as the Covid-19 pandemic surged to all parts of the world.
Its mandate, according to the FIFA website, includes running the TTFA’s daily affairs, establishing a debt repayment plan that is implementable by the TTFA, reviewing and amending the TTFA statutes to ensure their compliance with FIFA statutes and to organise and conduct elections of a new TTFA executive committee for a four-year mandate.
According to FIFA, “the normalisation committee will act as an electoral committee, and none of its members will be eligible for any of the open positions in the TTFA elections under any circumstances.
The specified period of time during which the normalisation committee will perform its functions will expire as soon as it has fulfilled all of its assigned tasks, but no later than 24 months after its members have been officially appointed by FIFA.”
The TTFA was suspended by FIFA on September 24 after president William Wallace and his executive decided to challenge their removal from office by FIFA in the High Court.
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WATCH: The news of the ban on local football being lifted has simultaneously lifted the spirits of the entire football community, with many looking forward to a brighter day for the sport locally.
https://www.youtube.com/v/iX2zYZ9U2wk
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Hadad: Long road to recovery for TTFA
T&T Express
Chairman of the Trinidad & Tobago Football Association (TTFA) normalisation committee, business executive Robert Hadad said it will be a long, arduous process to restore credibility and stability into the organisation and the sport in the two-island republic.
Hadad was speaking on Radio I95.5 FM, after World football’s governing body, FIFA announced on Thursday that T&T were free to return to international play, following the lifting of a suspension on the TTFA with immediate effect.
The end of the suspension followed the recent decision of the T&T Court of Appeal to reverse the ruling of High Court judge Carol Gobin that FIFA’s appointment of the normalisation committee was illegal, null and void, and of no effect.
Recognition of the authority of the normalisation committee by the membership of the TTFA was also another reason FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura gave for the lifting of the suspension.
Hadad said he and other members of the normalisation committee were relieved that months of legal wrangling was now over, but they were now dealing with the reality of the magnitude of the work ahead of them.
“We are ready to work, but we are very concerned that there is a lot of work ahead of us,” he said. “There is relief, definitely, because we are very happy that T&T is back into football and we can start playing again. But the work now starts for us. We will surely follow our mandate (from FIFA).”
The TTFA was suspended this past September, after the executive committee at the time—led by William Wallace—took FIFA to court over its decision to appoint the normalisation committee to temporarily manage the sport in T&T. FIFA claimed that the TTFA, under Wallace’s leadership, “had engaged in various acts of serious mismanagement”.
At the time, FIFA said “such a situation is putting at risk the organisation and development of football in the country and corrective measures need to be applied urgently”.
Hadad said the work to restore credibility in the TTFA was divided into “four main buckets”.
“The first is to get the operations of the TTFA up and running again, getting the committees in place, taking a look at the league in T&T from grassroots to the professional league and what they will look like because it is no secret that some of them are all over the place,” he said
“We also have to get the national teams – male and female at all age groups – up and running again and ensure we have the right staff in place to coach and manage these teams.”
He added: “Another area is the past debt, which is a big area. We have to sit down and put some committees together to deal with that immediately.
“And the fourth area is the corporate governance. Thankfully, we have good support from CONCACAF and FIFA, so hopefully we will be able to get all of the governance issues rectified.” The TTFA suspension had put in jeopardy the Soca Warriors’ participation in men’s qualifying competitions for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup and 2022 FIFA World Cup.
But Hadad said players had already started train again under the guidance of head coach Terry Fenwick and he expected things to be ramped up in the coming weeks.
“We are going to definitely have to sit down and have discussions around the current coaching staff and this has been said to them already about what they roles are, and we may have to tweak some and rearrange some, but I do not want to commit to what that would look like now,” he said.
“Terry Fenwick has done a great job of getting the men’s national team back out on the field last week and I see that they have been training. I want to the Commissioner of Police (Gary Griffith) and other staff of the TTFA they managed to get the players back out on the field.”
He continued: “We have also been in touch with the guys that are playing overseas…Many of them are fit and ready to go, and some of them are on their way back home now.
“Hopefully, Terry will be able to put together a team and they will train very hard and we will get up and running big time from next week—and we will be able take a look at who he wants to form the coaching team around him.”
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Hadad says TTFA debt a huge task.
By Ian Prescott (T&T Express).
Salaries first
THE ISSUES of salaries owed to Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) administrative staff, coaches and players is among the first issues chairman Robert Hadad expects to confront, now that his FIFA-appointed normalisation committee has been given the green light to proceed following the lifting of an international suspension against the country on Thursday by football’s world governing body (FIFA).
Lifting of the suspension combined with the halting of recent court action against FIFA by William Wallace’s executive has given Hadad‘s committee space to work at addressing the huge debt facing the TTFA. Hadad’s comments came during an interview with regional cable TV broadcaster SportsMax.
“We believe that we have a good grasp of the financial situation at this time and we are starting to address all of the salary issues as our first priority,” said Hadad, “and I know it’s a big question in everybody’s mind.”
Hadad said it was a huge relief that FIFA’s suspension of T&T had been lifted in under two months and after months of conflict with the former TTFA executive.
Hadad said the normalisation committee now has to go to work at re-organising and tackling the TTFA’s huge $70m plus debt.
“It’s a big relief to get over all of the problems we have had to deal with in the past with the battle between the United TTFA and the TTFA and FIFA, and it’s a good place to be today that we don’t have any of that looming over us anymore,” Hadad declared.
“It’s great that everybody (is) celebrating that the suspension has been lifted in a very short time frame. However, it doesn’t take away the debt and the governance issues that we have to deal with,” Hadad announced.
He added: “We have to get the bank account back up and running. We have a lot of work to do.”
Hadad also disclosed that he had been in contact with men’s national team captain Khaleem Hyland and assured that he will also be tackling outstanding monies owed to the players as well.
“He is representing the players and they are very excited,” said Hadad. “We are going to work with them to get their payment to them and most importantly get them back training and fit as fast as possible.”
Hadad reinforced the fact that FIFA money can only be used for football development and not debt consolidation.
“We can’t use the money that we have now for football because we have to study current football. We have to get current football back up and running,” Hadad said.
Hadad also revealed that in short time, overseas pros such a Joevin and Alvin Jones and Kevin Molino will rejoin the national team in training under Englishman Terry Fenwick and that priority is being given to have the national teams back up and running.
“A lot of the national teams don’t have national coaches because their tenure expired in August. So, we have to look at all the different teams and see who has contracts,” Hadad said.
The local business tycoon is also hopeful that in short time FIFA will appoint the two additional members of the normalisation committee as promised because serious work has to begin in the restructuring of the TTFA.
“We are going to put a committee to deal with past debt and the negotiation of it probably will be headed by Mr (Nigel) Romano and the legal matters are to be headed by Judy Daniel. We are going to put different groups of people to deal with different things.”
“We have a huge debt to clear up and everybody has to be patient. But I think they should celebrate because I am going to be in contact with everybody and we are going to negotiate and discuss all their claims and come up with payment plans for everybody that they will be happy.”
Video - Hadad: Players And Coaches To Be Paid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX2zYZ9U2wk&feature=emb_title)
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Video - Hadad: Players And Coaches To Be Paid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX2zYZ9U2wk&feature=emb_title)
Mis-management of WHICH past adminstration, Mr Hadad ? All ? most recent ? Till the dawn of Time ? or in the fullness of Time ?
What about most recent contracts ? As the representative of FIFA who removed the last admin for inadvertently making those contracts, you will now honor them without review ? So what was the problem with the last admin, if then the only issue was they blew a whistle on debt , if contracts are deemed ok to proceed as is ?
add: Personally I have no issue with the current coaching staff, I only have issue with the value of the new contracts. If the United TTFA was removed because of incorrect procedure in creating said contracts and inability to show proper reduction of debt that wasn't created by whomever, why not analyze, revise and repair all existing causes of debt and contracts ? It seems to me Normalization committee is in exactly same position the United TTFA was, just they (UT) was bullied out and lunch money taken. Unless I missed some of the above process was already done. Anyway, I think I am.
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Hadad working on Christmas $$$ for coaches, players, staff.
T&T Guardian Reports.
National coaches, players, and members of the administrative office and technical staff of the T&T Football Association (TTFA) will be paid before Christmas, said Robert Hadad, the chairman of the FIFA Normalisation Committee, yesterday.
Hadad, who has been in the hot seat since March 27, amid a broken football structure that has left in its trail, a mounting debt that has crippled the sport locally and internationally, and a number of football-less Leagues that have failed to feed their national teams with players, said his committee which also comprises former banker Nigel Romano and attorney Judy Daniel, has been working meticulously daily to solve a number of the current issues that are affecting the local sport.
One of the problems which he has pointed to is the payment of salaries for players, staff, and coaches, which he said has already been addressed.
He told Guardian Media Sports yesterday that payment documents for all the parties mentioned have already been submitted to the sport's world governing body - FIFA, for payment to be made before Christmas.
The coaches have not been paid since they took up their respective contracts in December 2019 and January 2020, under former president William Wallace. Some coaches, it is understood, are on contracts while others were given letters of agreement which expired at the end of August.
The last time salary payment came was in July this year, but technical director Dion La Foucade, who left his job in the United States earlier this year, was the only beneficiary of that payment.
Meanwhile, Hadad also revealed that work has begun on a debt-repayment plan.
The embattled football association has been crippled by a debt which is said to be between $50-$80 million.
Hadad revealed that the Normalisation Committee (NC) has been working on assessing the legitimacy of contracts that are before them for payment.
He said, "Some people believe we have not been working but we have. This repayment will not happen overnight. It will take some time."
Hadad, who is also a director of the HADCO Group of Companies and the NC team has been tasked with the job of stabilising T&T football and preparing it for election in two year's time, following FIFA's takeover on March 17, which found the state of the sport to be on the verge of insolvency.
Concerns have been raised about how the TTFA's debt would have been cleared, whether it would be by the FIFA or if the NC will carry the responsibility of sourcing sponsorship. Hadad promises to provide answers to these concerns soon.
Hadad said that a holistic role to lift the sport to where it was before, is underway, noting that the amount they currently have in their coffers, will be used for the operation of the organisation before they can turn their focus on seeking to build the image and bring back corporate T&T on board.
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Yes. Hope everyone gets their support money (or lack of). They can go back to their professional coaching jobs now.
Next, Congress and Trump throws out Biden, because the decision makers want it so. Forget bout any elections or the ppl or the country. Oh Jeez, ah forget ah done..
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Dear editor: Hadad should forget Pro League and focus on Fifa mandate of TTFA debt.
Wired868.com.
“[…] Mr Robert Hadad is seeming to fall in the same footsteps of Mr David John Williams and Mr William Wallace in shelving the most prestigious and longstanding football tournament, which is under the purview of the TTFA, while chasing a very costly league at this time—noting fully well the financial situation of the TTFA…”
The following Letter to the Editor on the operations of Fifa-appointed normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad was submitted to Wired868 by a concerned stakeholder, who wrote on condition of anonymity:
As a stakeholder in the football landscape, being on the fence about the Fifa normalisation committee when they were initially installed and coming to understand the reason why they were and fully supporting them in the struggles against the former executive, I am writing this letter with a heavy heart and a high level of concern.
Whereas Fifa has reinstated the normalisation committee, I am optimistic about the normalisation committee working feverishly towards eradicating the debt of the TTFA and restructuring the running of the administrative aspect of the TTFA—where the TTFA has been lacking for years.
It feels like a case of deja vu where what is being heard from the head of the normalisation committee currently is about the forming of a new league to encompass TT Pro League and TT Super League, at a time where all stakeholders in football are looking to the normalisation committee to see a plan to clear the debt.
It seems like they are more interested in forming a new league than addressing these critical matters. Even more ironic is that the FA has control of the FA Cup and for several years this tournament has been dormant. If any club football is a priority of the TTFA, it should be the FA Cup.
Mr Robert Hadad is seeming to fall in the same footsteps of Mr David John Williams and Mr William Wallace in shelving the most prestigious and longstanding football tournament, which is under the purview of the TTFA, while chasing a very costly league at this time—noting fully well the financial situation of the TTFA.
Many other stakeholders within the football realm have been hoping that the normalisation committee prioritises the eradication of the current TTFA debt as item number one.
Personally, I would take it as a slap in the face of football if the normalisation committee has discussions about a league prior to addressing the TTFA’s financials, administrative salaries, coaches salaries, the national team’s preparation for major tournaments such as the Gold Cup and the player’s appearance fees.
The entire football fraternity is looking at the normalisation committee as a fresh start for Trinidad and Tobago football or at least the means to get us to that point.
We are waiting with bated breath to see Mr Hadad’s handling of these crucial issues.
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Levi Garcia is right about the discouraging comments that our own Trinis make about players going to India,the Indian League is on par with TT league or better,not worse,there's a liklihood of being spotted by scouts from Europe and many other scouts, from better footballing countries than TT.The Indian League has players from Europe,South America,Central America ,Australia and Asia,we cannot match that.Garcia is right.
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Levi Garcia is right about the discouraging comments that our own Trinis make about players going to India,the Indian League is on par with TT league or better,not worse,there's a liklihood of being spotted by scouts from Europe and many other scouts, from better footballing countries than TT.The Indian League has players from Europe,South America,Central America ,Australia and Asia,we cannot match that.Garcia is right.
You really feel European scouts does look at de Indian I-League?
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Levi Garcia is right about the discouraging comments that our own Trinis make about players going to India,the Indian League is on par with TT league or better,not worse,there's a liklihood of being spotted by scouts from Europe and many other scouts, from better footballing countries than TT.The Indian League has players from Europe,South America,Central America ,Australia and Asia,we cannot match that.Garcia is right.
You really feel European scouts does look at de Indian I-League?
YES !!!!
For cricketers....
:rotfl: :rotfl:
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Hadad: TTFA affiliates need to follow their constitutions
By Keith Clement (T&T Guardian)
Calls for calm as Robert Hadad, chairman of the T&T Football Association (TTFA) Normalisation Committee (NC), has confirmed to Guardian Media Sports that he has received correspondences from both the T&T Super League (TTSL) and the Northern Football Association (NFA) of the TTFA.
Hadad, one of three members of the FIFA-appointed NC to run and managed the sports for the next two years said yesterday that the NC will assess any officially communicated concerns based on its merit from TTFA members and will act accordingly.
However, he said, "The Normalisation Committee is not here to take over or run any of the affiliates but we will assist them and provide advice because we must make football attractive and workable for all stakeholders."
Regarding the annual general meeting (AGM) issue which is currently unfolding in the NFA, he said, "The Board of the NFA has convened an annual general meeting (AGM) for December 28, 2020. Once a meeting is called in accordance with the constitution, the Normalisation Committee will be willing to send representatives as per any official requests for such."
Asked if the NFA executive communicated to the NC about the NFA AGM he replied, "Yes, and the date the Normalisation Committee is aware of, is December 28, 2020 and we will do what we can to assist."
Hadad also confirmed receiving the letter from Jameson Rigues, the first vice president of the TTSL on Friday which raised concerns about the election of former “Strike Squad” captain Clayton “JB” Morris at a reconvened AGM on December 5 as president.
And, concerns regarding the unconstitutional suspension of members; and the convening of a closed AGM to elect a president.
Hadad said the NC will provide a response but insists, "The Normalisation Committee will not appear as if it is picking sides when disputes arise. All TTFA affiliates have their constitutions and that is their guide about how they need to operate and function."
Morris, who is the head coach of the TTSL team University of T&T (UTT) FC, replaced president Keith Look Loy, who resigned in October.
Morris will be in the position until August 2021 after he was elected by five out of 14 Super League clubs: Matura Re-United FC, Erin FC, Petit Valley/Diego Martin United (PVDMU), Guaya United FC and Cunupia FC.
Rigues is challenging the suspension of seven clubs that were not allowed to participate in the AGM and is seeking the help of the NC.
On September 22, 2019, the League suspended - Central 500 FC, Harlem Strikers FC, Marabella FCC, 1976 Phoenix FC, WASA FC, and Youth Stars FC for various reasons in 2018 and 2019. And, in January 2020 Defence Force was suspended.
Hadad said, "The current issues taking place in football is not good for the sport which depend on corporate T&T to finance its programmes at every level in the country. The business community and the government, two of football biggest stakeholders are looking on and we need to put our house in order to start earning confidence from all our stakeholders."
He said that one of the NC top priorities is to meet with stakeholders such as the managers of both the T&T Pro League and the TTSL to start charting a way forward.
Attorney Judy Daniel, the deputy chairman, and retired banker Nigel Romano are the other members of the NC which were appointed on March 17 by FIFA.
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T&TFA players, coaches, staff paid.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).
Players, coaches, and staff members of the T&T Football Association (TTFA) have been paid, Robert Hadad, the chairman of the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee has confirmed, thereby delivering on his promise to pay salaries before Christmas Day.
Hadad said on Monday, that were all paid. The coaches, some of whom are on contracts, while others are on agreements, some of which have expired, have not received salaries since taking up national duty in January when the technical committee which was headed by Keith Look Look, appointed a cadre of coaches inclusive senior team coach Terry Fenwick, Derek King (Men’s Under-20 Team), Angus Eve (Men’s Under-17 Team), Keith Jeffrey (Men’s Under-15 Team), Richard Hood (Women’s Under-20 and Under-17 Teams) and Jason Spence (Women’s Under-15 Team).
Hadad told Guardian Media Sports: "Players were paid today (Monday), coaches were paid today and admin staff was paid today. Players were paid off 100 per cent, the coaches we paid many of them half of what we owed them up until August because we could only pay what we have, and admin staff was paid up until the end of November."
The local football boss said they can only pay what they have available to them.
With the payment to date, the staff will now be owed salaries for this month (December) alone, while many of the coaches were paid off in full, in particular, the ones with the smaller teams. The coaches at the senior teams, however, received half payment up until the end of August.
Hadad promised they will look into the balance of monies available to them and make a determination of what can be paid to them during the early part of January.
Hadad dismissed claims that his normalization committee has been doing nothing, saying: "We working and we drowning in a flurry of stuff."
Hadad and his normalization committee, which consists of former banker Nigel Romano and attorney Judy Daniel, the deputy chairman, have had to sift through piles of claims by various contractors all claiming to be owed by the embattled football association.
It also has to deal with a plethora of contracts that did not receive approval from the Board of Directors of the T&TFA.
Ironically, Hadad's appointment at the helm of an organization with a mandate to stabilize local football, came after a combined team from the FIFA and CONCACAF visited T&T in February and found the sport on the verge of insolvency, due mainly to rising debt and no means of clearing them.
Meanwhile, a debt of close to an estimated TT$80 million, which has crippled local football may soon be found and paid. Hadad said his committee had a close to a three-hour meeting yesterday, discussing all the options available to them to clear the debt.
"We are looking at how are we raising the money, because of course, If I start to go negotiating the debt without knowing what I have available, how can you negotiate?. The right way to do it is to know where the money coming from. Once I know where the money is coming from, then I can sit with people and give them a final settlement figure."
The normalization committee is currently in the process of getting football back up and running, Hadad said, noting the aim is to try and get the government to relax the COVID19 protocols for the Pro League and the Super League, as well as to get Women football back on track since the FIFA gave them money for it (women football).
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Hadad eases concerns: ‘Payment was made’
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).
Robert Hadad, chairman of the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee has sought to allay fears that salaries to T&T Football Association (T&TFA) coaches, players, and its staff were paid on Monday.
Concerns were raised yesterday when money did not reach the bank accounts of the coaches, with one coach who proclaimed to be the voice of the coaches, becoming verbally abusive when he contacted Guardian Media Sports for confirmation.
Hadad cleared the air on the issue, saying: “When one bank receives the money, it gets transferred to their salary accounts and once it’s in different bank accounts, it takes a while to be processed, it takes a day, in some cases two days. So I am not in control of that but all of the money was transferred.”
The coaches have been awaiting payment of wages since January, and despite Hadad’s statement that payment was made Monday, the coach who is yet to make his mark on the football stage in coaching became antagonistic.
According to Hadad, the players were given 100 per cent payment, while the coaches received half of what they were owed up until August, as it was what the normalisation committee could have afforded.
The coaches have been promised the rest of their monies by January. Meanwhile, the administration staff received salaries up until the end of November.
As word of the payment hit the local and international public, Hadad said he was even contacted by Mike Berry, the agent of former senior team coach Dennis Lawrence, enquiring about the payment to Lawrence, who was sacked by the William Wallace-led administration with a contract that is valid until July 2021. Lawrence, who was fired in December 2019, took his case to FIFA for re-dress.
Hadad said he could not say exactly how much is owed to Lawrence, the former national defender, but he estimated it to be a couple million dollars.
Lawrence’s two-year contract was extended in February 2019 until the end of the Gold Cup and Nation’s Cup tournaments, which was scheduled for this year but due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, has been rescheduled.
Hadad, a director at the HADCO Group of Companies, said the coaches could have contacted him for clarification of the payment: “If I am saying that you were paid, maybe you should just contact your bank and find out where the money is and when it is coming, or maybe they could just contact me and say ‘Mr Hadad, the money hasn’t reached my bank account’. I was clear with them. Most of them got 50 per cent of what was owed to them at the end of August. That’s what we have.”
Some coaches have signed contracts while others have signed agreements with the T&TFA, courtesy deals given by the technical committee of the Wallace-led T&TFA under then committee which was chaired by Keith Look Loy, who resigned from all forms of football in October.
The coaches, who have contracts are senior team coach Terry Fenwick, Derek King (Men’s Under-20 team), Angus Eve (Men’s U-17 team), Keith Jeffrey (Men’s U-15 team), Richard Hood (Women’s U-20 and U-17 teams) and Jason Spence (Women’s U-15 team).
When contacted yesterday, both King and Eve, said that they did not see any money deposited in their bank accounts but said they understand the process of the banking system.
Meanwhile, no T&TFA staff member was willing to comment on the issue yesterday.
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Hadad sends season's greetings to stakeholders
T&T Guardian
The following is greeting sent the stakeholders of football in Trinidad and Tobago from Robert Hadad, chairman of the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee of the TTFA.
"To all our Valued Members and Stakeholders.
As this year comes to its close, we wish to extend warm greetings on behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association.
In the midst of difficulty, there is always something to be grateful for and I wish to acknowledge and appreciate the gifts of life, health, strength and all that has been bestowed upon us this year. We are so thankful to end 2020 and to enter into 2021 with the TTFA as a functioning member of FIFA and CONCACAF.
The support, interaction and experience shared from those in FIFA and CONCACAF have been important in guiding us to this point and to where we are aiming towards in 2021 and beyond.
This year has been a terribly testing and difficult one for everyone in some way or another. I wish to note that football does not exist in isolation and is also affected by the challenges of society. The existing problems in local football coupled with the Pandemic; have made this year into certainly one of the FA’s most challenging periods in its history.
The socio-economic challenges also affect the end product, but rest assured that we are undertaking a number of interventions in order to develop our organization and to elevate our game to a higher standard.
Our tasks of addressing the current debt, running the daily affairs of the TTFA, reviewing and amending the Statutes, and generally charting a better way forward for Trinidad and Tobago football, remain a top priority.
We are currently focused on a strategic planning process as it is imperative that our plan is locked in place and becomes a blueprint for long-term growth and stability. I take this opportunity to thank all our stakeholders for their ongoing support and patience over the past few months. We have and will continue to invest significant time and energy into getting the best outcome for the country.
We will update you on our plans as they evolve, as we work towards being in a position to share our future strategies. Additionally, we are currently in a process of forging stronger relationships with our existing partners and stakeholders and do have plans to ensure they are part of our future success.
With regards to our national teams on the field of play, we recognize our country’s progress to the Quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Women’s Under 20 Championship earlier this year. We also appreciate the success and progress of several of our professional players in the overseas leagues such as Kevin Molino, Joevin Jones, Levi Garcia, Akeem Garcia and Kennya Cordner to name a few. These players all excelled for their respective clubs in leagues from North America to Europe.
Our locally based Senior Men’s Team players braved the challenging conditions to turn up to practice over the past few months as we prepare for the upcoming Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualifiers which commence in March with a home fixture against Guyana.
The TTFA’s Home of Football hotel served as a step-down facility in the Government’s Covid recovery efforts, and as an organization, we are immensely pleased to have been able to provide support in the country’s fight against the virus. There are ongoing plans to expand on the use of the facility from 2021 of which you will hear more about in the new year.
The start of the World Cup qualifiers will be a test which we are all anticipating and promises to be an exciting and ambitious venture which will see us re-enter CONCACAF and FIFA Competitions for the first time in a year.
We have encountered a trying and difficult year and we are looking forward to a brighter 2021. What we put into our football now, determines the end result. We are buoyed by a promising future and as I have said in the past, we have been presented with an opportunity to make a change. We must all embrace this and remain positive and committed to building back our country’s football. We must do this for the players, youth, fans, coaches and for all stakeholders.
In closing, I thank you again for your patience, confidence and support. On behalf of TTFA, I wish you all a safe and wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year."
RELATED NEWS
TTFA ‘looking forward to brighter 2021’
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday).
THE TT Football Association (TTFA) is looking forward to a brighter 2021, according to Robert Hadad, chairman of the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee.
The committee, comprising Hadad, Judy Daniel and Nigel Romano, was appointed in March, after FIFA removed the William Wallace-led executive, due to mounting debts.
Hadad, in a media statement on Thursday, said, “We are so thankful to end 2020 and to enter into 2021 with the TTFA as a functioning member of FIFA and Concacaf. The support, interaction and experience shared from those in FIFA and Concacaf have been important in guiding us to this point and to where we are aiming towards in 2021 and beyond.”
FIFA suspended T&T from all international events on September 24, after Wallace and his executive failed to withdraw their legal case against FIFA from the local High Court and have it heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.
FIFA lifted the suspension in November, after members of the TTFA agreed to stop court action taken against FIFA and recognise the committee to run its affairs.
“This year has been a terribly testing and difficult one for everyone in some way or another,” Hadad wrote. “I wish to note that football does not exist in isolation and is also affected by the challenges of society. The existing problems in local football coupled with the (coronavirus) pandemic, have made this year into certainly one of the FA’s most challenging periods in its history.
“The socio-economic challenges also affect the end product, but rest assured that we are undertaking a number of interventions in order to develop our organisation and to elevate our game to a higher standard.
“Our tasks of addressing the current debt, running the daily affairs of the TTFA, reviewing and amending the Statutes, and generally charting a better way forward for T&T football, remain top priority.”
According to Hadad, the TTFA is “focused on a strategic planning process as it is imperative that our plan is locked in place and becomes a blueprint for long-term growth and stability. Additionally, we are currently in a process of forging stronger relationships with our existing partners and stakeholders and do have plans to ensure they are part of our future success.”
The normalisation committee’s chairman mentioned, “We have encountered a trying and difficult year and we are looking forward to a brighter 2021. What we put into our football now, determines the end result.
“We are buoyed by a promising future and as I have said in the past, we have been presented with an opportunity to make a change. We must all embrace this and remain positive and committed to building back our country’s football. We must do this for the players, youth, fans, coaches and for all stakeholders.”
Normalisation committee chairman Hadad positive about 2021
T&T Express Reports.
HIGH HOPES
FOLLOWING a tumultuous year during which Trinidad and Tobago was temporarily suspended from international football, FIFA normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad has in his Christmas message expressed hope for growth in 2021, beginning with the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
“The start of the World Cup qualifiers will be a test which we are all anticipating and promises to be an exciting and ambitious venture which will see us re-enter Concacaf and FIFA competitions for the first time in a year,’ Hadad stated.
“Our locally-based senior men’s team players braved the challenging conditions to turn up to practice over the past few months as we prepare for the upcoming Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualifiers which commence in March with a home fixture against Guyana,” he added. “We also appreciate the success and progress of several of our professional players in the overseas leagues such as Kevin Molino, Joevin Jones, Levi Garcia, Akeem Garcia and Kennya Cordner to name a few. These players all excelled for their respective clubs in leagues from North America to Europe.”
Hadad acknowledged the devastating blows football has suffered in a year where the Covid-19 pandemic brought a halt to local sport in March. With no football being played, the void was filled by a protracted legal wrangle between former president Williams Wallace’s Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) executive and FIFA, football’s governing world body which removed them from office on March 17.
“We have encountered a trying and difficult year and we are looking forward to a brighter 2021. What we put into our football now, determines the end result,” Hadad said.
Hadad also addressed the imposing $70 million-plus debt of the almost insolvent TTFA which he inherited when the normalisation committee was installed.
“Our tasks of addressing the current debt, running the daily affairs of the TTFA, reviewing and amending the Statutes, and generally charting a better way forward for Trinidad and Tobago football remain top priority,” he said.
The normalisation committee chairman further stated:“We are currently focused on a strategic planning process as it is imperative that our plan is locked in place and becomes a blueprint for long-term growth and stability. I take this opportunity to thank all our stakeholders for their ongoing support and patience over the past few months. We have and will continue to invest significant time and energy into getting the best outcome for the country.
“We will update you on our plans as they evolve, as we work towards being in a position to share our future strategies. Additionally we are currently in a process of forging stronger relationships with our existing partners and stakeholders and do have plans to ensure they are part of our future success.
“We are buoyed by a promising future and as I have said in the past, we have been presented with an opportunity to make a change. We must all embrace this and remain positive and committed to building back our country’s football. We must do this for the players, youth, fans, coaches and for all stakeholders.”
Hadad noted that football does not exist in isolation and is also affected by the challenges of society. Therefore the existing problems in local football coupled with the pandemic have made this year into one of the most challenging periods in the TTFA’s history. Despite the socio-economic challenges, he assured that the normalisation committee will undertake a number of interventions in order to develop the organisation and to elevate the game to a higher standard.
“This year has been a terribly testing and difficult one for everyone in some way or another,” said Hadad. “We are so thankful to end 2020 and to enter into 2021, with the TTFA as a functioning member of FIFA and Concacaf. The support, interaction and experience shared from those in FIFA and Concacaf have been important in guiding us to this point and to where we are aiming towards 2021 and beyond.”
Hadad also expressed plans to expand on the use of the TTFA’s Home of Football hotel from 2021. The facility currently serves as a step-down facility in the Government’s Covid recovery efforts.
“There are ongoing plans to expand on the use of the facility from 2021 of which you will hear more about in the new year,” Hadad stated.
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All the best to the Normalization Committee (New TTFA) for the New Year and hopefully get things in order for many years to come.
Merry Christmas and Congratulations to Mr Hadad for steering the ship in what seems to be a correct direction to a port so far free of storm and rough seas.
Yet, just a few questions so we can learn how to steer ourselves in the future..
"So How much funding did FIFA see it fit to give the normalization committee to make these payments? How much was disbursed? How much is left ? What are the outstanding debts ? What is the status of present long term contracts? How are they to be honoured? Where is funding for up coming tournaments and for how many teams ? Is there a women’s team payment and any up coming programs/camps ? What about creditors and current court cases/debts ?
Nice to know ppl getting paid, but is it all secrets? Till next time ? Do we have another sponsor other than FIFA? Should the ppl of TT care where the money comes from and going ? Is taxes withheld or all money in and out of TT tax exempt?
Why I does have to declare whatever funds over 10 k I NOT travelling with on a form ? If I had, could I say , I got it from FIFA?
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T&T coaches, players receive partial payments, with some ‘errors’; Hadad to discuss 2021 programme
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).
There was some relief for Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) technical staff, office staff and coaches this afternoon, as salaries finally hit their bank accounts.
Not everyone was satisfied and there appeared to be some discrepancies by the Fifa-appointed normalisation committee. However, coaches and players who spoke to Wired868 were generally happy for the first tangible show of appreciation by the current rulers of the local football body.
“We got the payments that were promised today,” said Trinidad and Tobago Boys National Under-15 goalkeeper coach Jefferson George, who is a steering committee member for the National Football Coaches of Trinidad and Tobago (NFCTT). “As far as I am aware, everyone got their monies… We also received confirmation from the normalisation committee that, once [further] money becomes available, the balance will be paid. I gave that additional information to the coaches.
“[…] The guys are happy to be paid, although it is funds we are entitled to that we had to wait a long time for. We are not fully paid yet, but the normalisation committee gave a commitment that we will be paid—and we have that in writing.”
The coaches are understood to have been divided into three categories. The Women’s National Under-17 and Under-20 Team staff members had short term deals, as their tournaments were scheduled for the first quarter of 2020. They were paid in full.
The Men’s National Futsal Team coaching staff are also believed to have received salaries. They go into competition action in early 2021.
The remaining two categories are the youth team coaches who had contracts until August and the Men’s National Senior Team staff who are contracted until the end of 2021, with an option for a renewal. Both were paid half of their salaries up until August.
The national youth team coaches hoped to receive a full pay-off but had to settle for 50 per cent, while the senior team coaches were said to be disappointed not to at least receive half payments until November. But it is a start.
For Soca Warriors head coach Terry Fenwick, the remuneration could offer an additional benefit of ratifying his contract, which was signed off by former president William Wallace but contradicted terms offered by the TTFA Board.
The fine print of Fenwick’s contract could be a talking point again next July when Trinidad and Tobago compete in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. The board agreed that Fenwick should receive a two year extension if he matches the performance of former coach Stephen Hart, by taking the Warriors into the quarterfinal round.
However, Fenwick and Wallace privately agreed that Trinidad and Tobago has only to qualify for the 16-nation competition for his deal to be renewed. (Wallace subsequently claimed that he did not read the altered contract proffered by Fenwick.)
At present, the Men’s Team is the only TTFA outfit in operation.
There was some confusion on the side of the players too. According to one senior player, who spoke on condition of anonymity, some Warriors received payment at the agreed exchange rate TT$6.4 to US$1 while others were paid at TT$6 to TT$1. Some players also complained of being at least one match fee short.
The players hope to have the issue rectified in short order.
Next on the agenda is the restarting of the national football programme. George said Hadad committed to discuss his plans for 2021 with the coaches association.
“Mr Hadad said he would schedule a meeting with coaches association to go through some ideas [and] he is committed to liaising with us, as the normalisation committee puts the various national programmes in place,” said George. “He said he is committed to having dialogue with all stakeholders and he will not make a unilateral decision.
“He assured us we will be consulted in terms of them putting a technical staff together, and putting something in place to address the selection of national staff.”
The Look Loy-led technical committee ensured that all football coaches had appointment letters with a start and end date as well as financial terms. The NFCTT hopes this standard will be maintained in the future.
“The coaches association doesn’t see itself as having a part in the selection of coaches and we don’t know what the technical staff will look like in the future,” said George. “But what we hope for is that the persons who take up those positions are properly qualified and that people will be going into proper arrangements where they are remunerated.
“What we also don’t want to see is what happened for years with one coach training three teams. That coach’s attention is literally divided and you won’t get the best out of him. That is not a model you will see in any serious football country.”
Yesterday, former technical director Anton Corneal confirmed that he was twice approached by Hadad to help with the restructuring of the TTFA’s technical programmes.
However, Corneal complained about chronic poor communication from the normalisation committee and said he was also disappointed about the lack of progress regarding his outstanding salaries, despite a high court judgment.
At present, former Men’s National Senior Team assistant coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier is the only coach to receive compensation for outstanding money from a technical squad which predated the William Wallace-led administration.
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‘Nobody is being told anything!’ Hadad slammed for poor communication and constitutional violations
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).
Trinidad and Tobago Football Referees Association (TTFRA) vice-president Osmond Downer has criticised Fifa-appointed normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad for either ignoring the local body’s constitution or totally misunderstanding his role within the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA).
Hadad and his three-member committee, which includes Judy Daniel and Nigel Romano, replaced the TTFA Board on 27 March 2020 with a specific mandate to: run the TTFA’s daily affairs, establish a debt repayment plan, review and amend the constitution (where necessary), and conduct elections for a new board.
However, whereas Fifa president Gianni Infantino sends press statements to inform stakeholders of his plans for the local body, Hadad has formally informed neither the TTFA’s member delegates nor the public of his operations.
Nine months since his appointment and nearly three months since for mer TTFA president William Wallace was removed by members, Hadad is yet to hold a general meeting or press conference to offer feedback or address concerns of the nation.
Downer, one of the framers of the TTFA Constitution, said former president David John-Williams was one of the worst communicators he ever saw in that role. Hadad, he suggested, was worse.
“The normalisation committee has not sought the opinion of anyone [and] consultation should be made with the membership,” Downer told Wired868. “In fact one of the biggest complaints against John-Williams was his lack of communication and failure to let the membership know what is going on. John-Williams had his faults there, but after nine months with this one (Hadad), communication is nil. Nil! There is nothing!
“The TTFA comprises the members, without the members there is no TTFA. So therefore the members have a right to know what is going on and to be kept up to date. But nobody is being told anything and that is not satisfactory.”
Does Hadad, the co-CEO of HadCo Limited, think he is more powerful than Infantino and can do whatever he feels like within football on the twin island republic?
Downer noted that even Infantino operates within a structure and has to answer for decisions made within Fifa.
“The very seven-man Bureau of the Fifa Council, with Infantino as its chairman, which made the decision to remove the TTFA executive—their every meeting has to be ratified by the Fifa Council made up of 30-something members,” said Downer. “And in some cases, like with the suspension of a member, their decisions have to be ratified by the congress, made up of all the membership.
“So why does the normalisation committee not seem to think it has to work within our structure?”
Downer said one particularly important blindspot for the Hadad-led normalisation committee appears to be its lack of regard for standing committees. The TTFA has just over a dozen standing committees and most were activated under the former executive.
Downer said the Fifa Statutes and TTFA Constitution both state that its standing committees ‘shall advise and assist the executive’ and must exist.
Article 40.2 of the TTFA Constitution states: ‘[…] the members of the standing committees shall be designated for a term of office of four years.’
And article 8.2 of the Fifa Statutes, which deals with ‘normalisation’ states: ‘executive bodies of member associations may under exceptional circumstances be removed from office by the Council, in consultation with the relevant confederation, and replaced by a normalisation committee for a specific period of time.
“The constitution of the TTFA still exists and it is mandatory, otherwise there would be no TTFA for the normalisation committee to run,” said Downer. “The normalisation committee must follow the rules of the TTFA because Fifa has not suspended the rules of the TTFA, nor has it suspended or removed the standing committees. Fifa has removed one body alone, the board of directors.
“[…] The standing committees are entrenched in the constitution. Nobody can disband or remove a standing committee, unless it is done by a constitutional amendment.
“Not even Infantino can remove the standing committees—that is why they are called ‘standing’, they stand there.”
Since each committee, barring the audit and compliance committee, must be led by a member of the board, Hadad is entitled to place a normalisation committee member at the helm of each one.
Instead, Hadad and his assistant Amiel Mohammed implied—in meetings with stakeholders and in press statements—that the normalisation committee would decide on the appointment of national coaches, which national teams would be re-instated, and what the various standing committees would look like in the future.
The TTFA’s standing committees are: finance, audit and compliance, organising for TTFA competitions, technical and development, referees, legal, women’s football, youth football and development, sports medicine, players’ status, and marketing.
During the John-Williams-led administration, the number of active standing committees dropped to just one: the referees committee. Coincidentally, the TTFA plunged from 49th in the Fifa rankings to 104th during his four year term.
Downer tried to explain what the TTFA missed out on under John-Williams—a mistake that may now be repeated.
“No executive has all the in-house expertise necessary to run football,” said Downer, “because most of the members of the boards are administrators. They are not football experts or technical people, they are not doctors or lawyers, and that is why you would have expertise on your committees to advise the executive.
“Not even the Fifa executive, which has 38 members, has all the necessary expertise—and Fifa has standing committees from A to Z. The executive has to function using the advice of their standing committees.
“Take the selection of coaches and other technical staff for national teams. The board ultimately selects these people, but they do it on the advice of the people on the technical committee.”
The TTFA Board comprises of 15 people, all of whom are actively involved in local football at some level. The normalisation committee has just three persons—none of whom have any standing in the local game.
It is remarkable then that Hadad, Daniel and Romano apparently chose to operate without a single standing committee for close to a year already.
“They should rely on committees even more than a normal TTFA board, because there is nobody on the normalisation committee with any real football experience,” said Downer. “For instance, a member of the last board, [Keith] Look Loy, was very knowledgable on technical matters as a former player and a coach, and a technical advisory member for Concacaf. So the board could have depended on him for some guidance.
“But even then, the board still had to seek advice from the technical committee on technical matters. No board, not even the Fifa board, can exist without the standing committees.
“[…] Basically, if the board is the driver steering the association, and the players are the wheel on which the machine runs, then the standing committees would be the engine.”
Downer expressed concerns about reports that Hadad was pushing ahead with a new football league involving Pro League and Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTSL) clubs, without consultation with the competitions committee.
The competitions committee comprises the general secretary of each zone as well as from the Women’s League of Football (WoLF).
“If the TTFA Board was still in existence and it wanted to start a competition,” he said, “it would put it in the hands of the competition committee, who would then put their plans to the board for ratification.”
The normalisation committee can enter into financial arrangements on behalf of the TTFA, just as the board could. However, this must be relayed to the membership.
Downer said there is particular interest in the TTFA’s debt repayment plan and members are anxious to hear from the normalisation committee on this, and to ask them questions.
“Any use of money must be decided by the board or, in this case, the normalisation committee,” said Downer, “but then at the very next general meeting, the general membership has to be informed—because that money belongs to the TTFA, which comprises the membership. If they spend it badly, they can be brought to account.
“[…] It is not the funds of the president, or the board. It is the funds of the members.”
Downer believes an emergency general meeting is long overdue, as football stakeholders hope to recover from a traumatic 2020 due to normalisation and the Covid-19 pandemic.
“People want to know what’s going on,” he said. “How many people know the details about this upcoming competition? What are the plans? What is going on with the debt repayment plans?
“What are the plans for the amendments of the constitution that Fifa so desires?”
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Why does it appear that to headup the TTFA the one criteria you must have is a demonstatable level of incompetency? :banginghead:
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Hadad: No confirmation yet on men’s team friendlies.
T&T Newsday Reports.
ROBERT Hadad, chairman of the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee, said there is no confirmation yet on proposed friendly international matches for the men’s national team against a few regional teams, ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf Zone qualifiers.
T&T, under the guidance of coach Terry Fenwick, have been drawn in Group F of the Concacaf First Round qualifiers. They will meet Guyana on March 25 (at home), Puerto Rico on March 28 (away), Bahamas on June 5 (away) and St Kitts/Nevis on June 8 (at home).
Due to the covid19 pandemic, as well as the suspension by FIFA of the TTFA (from September to November 2020), due to the former executive’s failure to desist from pursuing a challenge at the local High Court over their removal from office, Fenwick is yet to be afforded a competitive match since his appointment in January 2020.
In a recent Newsday report, Fenwick indicated his desire to play a few warm-up matches against regional teams, as well as have a training camp in Florida, US, ahead of the qualifiers.
Hadad said on Monday, “We are looking at some regional teams to play some warm-up games in Trinidad – St Vincent/Grenadines and Dominica. We have invited them.”
He continued, “We’re waiting on confirmation with regards to timing, and we have to work along with the Ministries (of National Security and Health) to get the Home of Football up and running properly, so we can use it.”
The Home of Football, located next to the Ato Boldon Stadium, at Balmain, Couva, is being used as a step-down facility for covid19 patients.
According to Hadad, the immediate intention for the Home of Football is for use as a bio-secure bubble for the national men’s team.
Hadad noted, “The other thing we’re looking at with Terry is a training programme in Miami, but we can’t confirm that as yet.”
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Hadad: TTFA respects Govt’s decision.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday).
TT Football Association (TTFA) normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad has called on stakeholders to respect the Government’s decision to not grant T&T permission to play their opening 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier, against Guyana, on March 25, on home soil.
On Saturday, the TTFA issued a statement noting the Ministry of Health’s decision to prohibit the match in a hot-bubble on local soil. The TTFA then took a decision to stage the match at the Pan American Stadium in Dominican Republic.
The association said that numerous proposals and scenarios were put forward to the Ministry of Health, Sport Company of T&T and other relevant Government agencies. However, they were all declined and a neutral location was selected.
On Sunday, Hadad said playing a home game on foreign ground was regrettable, but he believes the Government’s decision was made to protect the T&T citizens from further spread of covid19.
“Well playing at home will always be advantageous. It is unfortunate (to play in Dominican Republic) but we will make it happen. The Government is being careful with exposing the country to more risk. We must respect their decision,” said Hadad.
National men’s coach Terry Fenwick expressed disappointment on Saturday. Fenwick drew reference to numerous countries who were able to facilitate bio-secure bubbles for foreign players and successfully host their respective domestic and World Cup qualifier matches.
He said “poor planning” may have been a key factor as to why T&T was not being allowed to secure approval for the game.
Hadad disagreed with the veteran English coach.
“The head coach, like the staff and football-loving public, is frustrated at not being able to play the qualifier on home soil, but it is not a matter of bad planning. It’s the decision and position of the Government given the current health protocols.
“After coming out of (FIFA) suspension, Concacaf confirmed the schedule (World Cup qualifier) on December 4. Just before Christmas, the TTFA began meeting with relevant stakeholders to figure out solutions to play the game in Trinidad.
“But of course, now, we will be playing the game at the Pan American Stadium in Dominican Republic,” he added.
Meanwhile, Newsday understands Guyana has yet to receive official confirmation from Concacaf on a venue change.
An official, who wished to stay anonymous, said the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) understands T&T’s health protocols and will do all it can to facilitate a venue change, once agreed and confirmed by the sport’s regional body.
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Payments for TTFA staff up to date says Hadad.
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday).
OUTSTANDING salaries for TT Football Association (TTFA) staff members are up to date, according to Robert Hadad, chairman of the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee.
However, the T&T men’s team coaching staff are set to receive all that are owed to them within the next two months.
During a media conference at the VIP Lounge, Piarco International Airport, on Thursday, Hadad disclosed, “I think we’ve worked through all the problems. The people that we have problems with are the past coaches that worked under previous administrations. We do have to find funding to deal with that.”
Hadad continued, “The current group of coaches have been paid completely, up until August of last year. All of the payments have been in. As soon as that comes through, we would then be paying the last four months of last year, I would say in the next month-and-a-half, then we’re only left with this year.
“All of the other coaches, apart from the men’s team, have been brought up to date. The admin staff and the technical staff have been brought up to date. It’s just the men’s team that have to be brought up to date, and that is going to be done in the next couple of months.”
Due to covid19 restrictions, T&T will be playing their 2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf Zone qualifier against Guyana on March 25 in the Dominican Republic, instead of the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
Hadad noted, “It is not an ideal scenario. Not only are we playing outside but we are playing on fields that we don’t know.
“We got some images of the lighting on the Dominican Republic field and it didn’t look like the lighting we would need. We’re not excited about it. In addition, we have to play on an astro-surface in Puerto Rico (in their March 28 qualifier).
“We’re not excited by these things but these are the challenges that everybody faces in life. At the end of the day, what you have to do is take these challenges and make them work for you.”
Hadad is hopeful that T&T’s scheduled qualifier against St Kitts/Nevis in June will take place in Trinidad.
“I’ve already called (Chief Medical Officer) Dr Roshan Parasram and we’ve started discussions around the June games, and if we could play St Kitts here in Trinidad. Fingers crossed, we would see, in his words, where this pandemic is taking us. We have to wait and see what’s happening, how much people are going to be vaccinated, are they going to allow people with vaccines to come with less quarantine (time).”
FIFA appointed the normalisation committee (featuring Hadad, Judy Daniel and Nigel Romano) in March 2020, after removing the TTFA executive (headed by William Wallace) due to mounting debts, estimated at $50 million.
According to Hadad, “It’s been a tough year, the first nine months between court matters and (a FIFA) suspension. We’ve had to manage a lot of personalities, we’ve had to understand FIFA, understand Concacaf, work with the TTFA staff that has been here for many years.
“We’re making the best of it. We have a lot of good things to announce. We have a women’s coach coming, we have a new uniforms contract coming. We have a lot going on behind the scenes – beach soccer, futsal (and) World Cup qualification coming up.”
About the search for the T&T women’s coach, which began in January, Hadad said, “We are in the final stages of agreeing (to the person) coming to Trinidad. You can expect (an announcement) soon.”
How concerned is he that football is not being played in T&T due to the covid19 restrictions?
Hadad replied, “I’m very concerned but we have to respect the Government’s decisions. The downside is we haven’t been able to play football however I would say that the Pro League and the Super League have been very good to us. We’ve been actually talking more along the lines of a unified league.”
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Hadad did not budget for players’ stipend.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).
No stipends will be afforded to local players currently in training with the national team under coach Terry Fenwick and manager Adrian Romain.
Provisions were not made for this in the budget submitted to football’s world governing body-FIFA by the Normalisation Committee, being chaired by businessman Robert Hadad.
This was one of many issues raised by Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith some time ago, as he blamed the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee for the state of affairs of the team currently.
Griffith had said that local players were not even being given a stipend.
However, Hadad in an interview some time ago, sought to clear the air on this by explaining if he provides funding for the players it will be setting a dangerous precedent in the future. “We are not obligated to pay anybody a stipend, number one. Number two, There are a few players who have come to us and we have said to them that we’re not obligated to pay a stipend. We have presented our budget to FIFA for the year and it does not include anything called a stipend.”
“So I am getting a lot of push-back on what this stipend thing is, and the precedent it would set for the future,” Hadad explained.
Fenwick’s training squad comprises more than 60 percent of young, new players, most of whom are not attached to any clubs at this point in time.
Hadad said: “Remember football is only being played like this, and a national team is only in training because there is no other football allowed to be played. Once League starts back, whether it’s the Pro League, Super League or Ascension League, all these players that Terry is supposedly training, should move on to play for their clubs, and at that point, they would get their salaries. In the now, in the situation, we have been presented with, I have a budget and I have presented my budget to FIFA. My budget has been approved by FIFA, but it does not include stipend, so I am not going to make promises to them that I cannot keep.”
Football in T&T has endured its roughest time to date, with officials from Uefa, FIFA and CONCACAF providing input in a major restructuring exercise in 2019. And though no progress was made, the sport was further hit hard by the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic which brought sports generally to a stop across the nation.
The T&T team began its campaign successfully against Guyana on March 25 with a more-than-convincing 3-0 victory in the Dominican Republic. The Soca Warriors, as they are affectionately called followed that result up with a 1-1 tie with Puerto Rico ion Mayaguez, a result that placed them in second position in Group F with four points.
The group is being led by St Kitts/Nevis who has an unblemished record of two wins from as many games. The other team in the group is the Bahamas who are bottom of the table without a win or a draw to their name.
T&T are scheduled to play against the Bahamians and St Kitts/Nevis in their next two matches on June 5 and June 8 respectively.
Only recently midfielder Duane Muckette said four points out of six was not bad at all, but they live and they have more games ahead to make amends.
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Hadad said: “Remember football is only being played like this, and a national team is only in training because there is no other football allowed to be played. Once League starts back, whether it’s the Pro League, Super League or Ascension League, all these players that Terry is supposedly training, should move on to play for their clubs, and at that point, they would get their salaries. In the now, in the situation, we have been presented with, I have a budget and I have presented my budget to FIFA. My budget has been approved by FIFA, but it does not include stipend, so I am not going to make promises to them that I cannot keep.
???
Supposedly?
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Scum. Pockets a pretty penny from FIFA while his players starve? What happened to getting paid for work?
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However, Hadad in an interview some time ago, sought to clear the air on this by explaining if he provides funding for the players it will be setting a dangerous precedent in the future. “We are not obligated to pay anybody a stipend, number one. Number two, There are a few players who have come to us and we have said to them that we’re not obligated to pay a stipend. We have presented our budget to FIFA for the year and it does not include anything called a stipend.”
“So I am getting a lot of push-back on what this stipend thing is, and the precedent it would set for the future,” Hadad explained.
I am not a fan of Alibey's "Hadad in an interview some time ago". That phrasing lacks the specificity and context one would expect of a newspaper.
NONETHELESS, pushback from whom? Here we are in a not normal circumstance speaking about the concern of an unsustainable precedent as it would apply in normalcy? Marginally amusing.
The budget doesn't include "anything called a stipend" but it should anticipate another category in which a stipend could possibly be accommodated, no? As budgets go ...
Ah, the players ... think carefully.
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Scum. Pockets a pretty penny from FIFA while his players starve? What happened to getting paid for work?
There are two forms of work for which one is not compensated. One of them is known as voluntarism.
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Scum. Pockets a pretty penny from FIFA while his players starve? What happened to getting paid for work?
There are two forms of work for which one is not compensated. One of them is known as voluntarism.
These players aren't volunteering, and this certainly isn't voluntarism/voluntourism (had a student write a disseratation about that a decade ago, interesting stuff). These are football players undertaking training for the benefit of T&T - look at how they behave about the Rangers players. No wonder they wouldn't release them, clearly there was no guarantee of insurance/compensation if they released the players they were paying.
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Players staying away from training...Now looking for jobs.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).
A meeting among the staff of the T&T football team, its coach Terry Fenwick and chairman of the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee Robert Hadad is expected to be taking place today, amidst concerns that players and staff members are threatening to stay away from training sessions, due to unpaid stipend and wages.
On Monday, a Guardian Media reported the situation of a staff member facing eviction from an apartment he has occupied for two years, due to non-payment of salaries. It was reported that the staff member has not paid his rent in almost a year, adding that he is one of probably three staff members facing similar issues.
Now a parallel situation exists, following rumours that local players are planning to seek alternative ways of earning an income, rather than depending on football.
"Players have said to me that they're going to look for jobs rather than run-down football where they are even getting a stipend," one player said.
Their actions, he said, come from another report in which Hadad said his committee was not obligated to pay stipends to players and described it as setting a dangerous precedent.
According to a Guardian report on Sunday, Hadad revealed: “We are not obligated to pay anybody a stipend, number one. Number two, there are a few players who have come to us and we have said to them that we’re not obligated to pay a stipend. We have presented our budget to FIFA for the year and it does not include anything called a stipend.”
Fenwick's training squad comprises mainly young players, most of whom are out of contract because no football is being played in T&T due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Still, they endure the hardship to attend training sessions, not knowing if they will be picked for World Cup qualifying matches, or if the normalisation committee will be compassionate to their financial situation at present, the player noted.
On Monday, Fenwick began his session at the Police Barracks in St James with a call for all players and staff to persevere in the midst of the financially difficult period, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
But from his sessions that usually average 25-30 players on any given day, only 16 showed up for practice, ahead of T&T's crucial World Cup qualifying matches against the Bahamas on June 5 and St Kitts and Nevis, three days later.
The players and staff have been banking on a promised payment of wages by the normalisation committee at the Piarco International Airport before the team left for the opening two games against Guyana and Puerto Rico, and also in December last year following the payment of the first and only tranche of salaries to be given out.
If the meeting comes off, Hadad will have to answer questions of why payment of salaries and stipends are being withheld, and when will it be paid?
The player admitted that if the situation continues after the meeting with the normalisation committee, then possibly, Fenwick could have no training squad for matches.
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Players staying away from training...Now looking for jobs.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).
A meeting among the staff of the T&T football team, its coach Terry Fenwick and chairman of the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee Robert Hadad is expected to be taking place today, amidst concerns that players and staff members are threatening to stay away from training sessions, due to unpaid stipend and wages.
On Monday, a Guardian Media reported the situation of a staff member facing eviction from an apartment he has occupied for two years, due to non-payment of salaries. It was reported that the staff member has not paid his rent in almost a year, adding that he is one of probably three staff members facing similar issues.
Now a parallel situation exists, following rumours that local players are planning to seek alternative ways of earning an income, rather than depending on football.
"Players have said to me that they're going to look for jobs rather than run-down football where they are even getting a stipend," one player said.
Their actions, he said, come from another report in which Hadad said his committee was not obligated to pay stipends to players and described it as setting a dangerous precedent.
According to a Guardian report on Sunday, Hadad revealed: “We are not obligated to pay anybody a stipend, number one. Number two, there are a few players who have come to us and we have said to them that we’re not obligated to pay a stipend. We have presented our budget to FIFA for the year and it does not include anything called a stipend.”
Fenwick's training squad comprises mainly young players, most of whom are out of contract because no football is being played in T&T due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Still, they endure the hardship to attend training sessions, not knowing if they will be picked for World Cup qualifying matches, or if the normalisation committee will be compassionate to their financial situation at present, the player noted.
On Monday, Fenwick began his session at the Police Barracks in St James with a call for all players and staff to persevere in the midst of the financially difficult period, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
But from his sessions that usually average 25-30 players on any given day, only 16 showed up for practice, ahead of T&T's crucial World Cup qualifying matches against the Bahamas on June 5 and St Kitts and Nevis, three days later.
The players and staff have been banking on a promised payment of wages by the normalisation committee at the Piarco International Airport before the team left for the opening two games against Guyana and Puerto Rico, and also in December last year following the payment of the first and only tranche of salaries to be given out.
If the meeting comes off, Hadad will have to answer questions of why payment of salaries and stipends are being withheld, and when will it be paid?
The player admitted that if the situation continues after the meeting with the normalisation committee, then possibly , Fenwick could have no training squad for matches.
The players on joke ting still.
1. A meeting to be held today without players in the room? JOKE TING!
2. Possibly? JOKE TING!
3. Alllyuh not thinking outside de box. This is a kill two birds with one stone situation. Mercy!
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They must withhold their labour - physical work without pay, entitled attitude... I need say no more.
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Scum. Pockets a pretty penny from FIFA while his players starve? What happened to getting paid for work?
There are two forms of work for which one is not compensated. One of them is known as voluntarism.
These players aren't volunteering, and this certainly isn't voluntarism/voluntourism (had a student write a disseratation about that a decade ago, interesting stuff). These are football players undertaking training for the benefit of T&T - look at how they behave about the Rangers players. No wonder they wouldn't release them, clearly there was no guarantee of insurance/compensation if they released the players they were paying.
So what are your thoughts on forced labour?
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Scum. Pockets a pretty penny from FIFA while his players starve? What happened to getting paid for work?
There are two forms of work for which one is not compensated. One of them is known as voluntarism.
These players aren't volunteering, and this certainly isn't voluntarism/voluntourism (had a student write a disseratation about that a decade ago, interesting stuff). These are football players undertaking training for the benefit of T&T - look at how they behave about the Rangers players. No wonder they wouldn't release them, clearly there was no guarantee of insurance/compensation if they released the players they were paying.
So what are your thoughts on forced labour?
I'm not a fan, although the TTFA don't seem to mind that they're effectively forcing these players to train for free due to the collapse of their industry
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Scum. Pockets a pretty penny from FIFA while his players starve? What happened to getting paid for work?
There are two forms of work for which one is not compensated. One of them is known as voluntarism.
These players aren't volunteering, and this certainly isn't voluntarism/voluntourism (had a student write a disseratation about that a decade ago, interesting stuff). These are football players undertaking training for the benefit of T&T - look at how they behave about the Rangers players. No wonder they wouldn't release them, clearly there was no guarantee of insurance/compensation if they released the players they were paying.
So what are your thoughts on forced labour?
I'm not a fan, although the TTFA don't seem to mind that they're effectively forcing these players to train for free due to the collapse of their industry
Nothing is forced ... they all can just not show up to train ... if st kitts can get a league going why cant we ?
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Hadad betrayed us! National players and staff fire back at normalisation committee
https://wired868.com/2021/04/26/hadad-betrayed-us-national-players-and-staff-fire-back-at-normalisation-committee/
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How in good concience can these people expect players to come and train without some kind of compensation in this time of covid.
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Scum. Pockets a pretty penny from FIFA while his players starve? What happened to getting paid for work?
There are two forms of work for which one is not compensated. One of them is known as voluntarism.
These players aren't volunteering, and this certainly isn't voluntarism/voluntourism (had a student write a disseratation about that a decade ago, interesting stuff). These are football players undertaking training for the benefit of T&T - look at how they behave about the Rangers players. No wonder they wouldn't release them, clearly there was no guarantee of insurance/compensation if they released the players they were paying.
So what are your thoughts on forced labour?
I'm not a fan, although the TTFA don't seem to mind that they're effectively forcing these players to train for free due to the collapse of their industry
Nothing is forced ... they all can just not show up to train ... if st kitts can get a league going why cant we ?
It's not forced by threat of physical violence, but this is the only way they can keep up in their chosen profession. It's exploitative to say "you can train, but we ain't paying you" when they directly benefit from their hard work. How would the NT function without the training? They're pushing for WC qualification and that's not possible without this. At worst they are providing practice match bodies for the first eleven.
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Scum. Pockets a pretty penny from FIFA while his players starve? What happened to getting paid for work?
There are two forms of work for which one is not compensated. One of them is known as voluntarism.
These players aren't volunteering, and this certainly isn't voluntarism/voluntourism (had a student write a disseratation about that a decade ago, interesting stuff). These are football players undertaking training for the benefit of T&T - look at how they behave about the Rangers players. No wonder they wouldn't release them, clearly there was no guarantee of insurance/compensation if they released the players they were paying.
So what are your thoughts on forced labour?
I'm not a fan, although the TTFA don't seem to mind that they're effectively forcing these players to train for free due to the collapse of their industry
Nothing is forced ... they all can just not show up to train ... if st kitts can get a league going why cant we ?
It's not forced by threat of physical violence, but this is the only way they can keep up in their chosen profession. It's exploitative to say "you can train, but we ain't paying you" when they directly benefit from their hard work. How would the NT function without the training? They're pushing for WC qualification and that's not possible without this. At worst they are providing practice match bodies for the first eleven.
And, effectively coerced? No show no selection?
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I am most certain that Haddad is not voluntary his services.
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Hadad betrayed us! National players and staff fire back at normalisation committee
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).
Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team players have accused Fifa-appointed normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad of betrayal, as roughly 40 percent of the local-based players skipped practice today.
The training sessions are usually attended by roughly 28 players, but only 16 showed up today. And, according to a source, the absentees told head coach Terry Fenwick that quotes attributed to Hadad in the Trinidad Guardian newspaper were the reason for their non-appearance.
Hadad, according to the newspaper, said the normalisation committee would not pay training stipends to the Soca Warriors.
“We are not obligated to pay anybody a stipend, number one,” Hadad told the Guardian. “Number two, there are a few players who have come to us and we have said to them that we’re not obligated to pay a stipend.
“We have presented our budget to Fifa for the year and it does not include anything called a stipend… I am not going to make promises to them that I cannot keep.”
The article prompted a furious response from players, who accused the businessman of dishonesty and betrayal. Not only, they claim, did the normalisation committee chairman promise them stipends but they were told to expect payment before Christmas 2020.
“Hadad came and spoke to us on more than one occasion because we have players who are coming from as far as Cedros and Point Fortin on a daily basis,” said one player, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It came out from his mouth that they were working on stipends for us—and that was since last year. They said they would pay it before Christmas and a lot of the younger players were looking forward to it.
“Then time passed and we were not hearing anything, so we asked our manager Adrian Romain. Every time we asked, he would say ‘they are working on it, they are working on it’. Now we see this story.
“For the players, this is like a betrayal.”
Hadad’s Guardian interview attempted to rationalise his position by suggesting that the players would usually be paid by their clubs and would not need stipends. So he did not want to set a precedent.
It was curious logic in unprecedented times, particularly as Fifa gave all member associations a grant of US$1.5 m (TT$10 m) in 2020 as ‘Covid-19 relief’. Fenwick has asked his local-based players to turn up for duty up to five days a week, precisely because their clubs are inactive and they are unemployed.
If the normalisation committee offered TT$100 per session to players to offset their costs for transportation and a light meal, it would not compensate for what they might earn elsewhere. But at least, the player noted, it would mean they are not losing money to train, which they usually get from family members or well-wishers.
At TT$100 per session with 30 players training five days per week, the normalisation committee would fork out TT$60,000 per month. If Fenwick kept the squad training for 10 months in the year, the cost would be TT$600,000—roughly 17 percent of the sum that Fifa offered member associations to help mitigate the effect of the pandemic.
Wired868 asked Hadad, the co-CEO of HadCo Group, why he did not think the players worth that investment, and had not factored such an allowance into the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s (TTFA) budget. He did not respond.
The HadCo Group includes: Apadoca’s, Caribbean Battery Recycling Ltd, Caribbean LED Lighting, Creamery Novelties, Ecoimpact, Fresh, Hadco Ltd, Happy Time, Haagen-Dazs, Hexcorp, JRJ Bonded Warehouse, Kelec Electrical, Land Ice & Fish, Lighthouse Ltd, Little Woods Foods, Mousie’s Ice Cream, New Age Recycling, Nova Lighting, One-Ocean Cargo, Peppercorns, and Sampson’s Transport Company.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult for players to be asked to continuously ‘sacrifice for the country’, especially considering the prevailing circumstances which is the pandemic, no form of income for local pros, etc,” said a second player, who also spoke anonymously. “Guys aren’t asking for a salary, just something to offset daily expenses. It is baffling that he wouldn’t even submit it in the proposed budget to Fifa, since it is something that has been brought to his attention multiple times.”
Notably, Hadad is believed to receive US$6,500 (TT$44,000) per month from Fifa for his duties as chairman, while the other committee members collect US$4,000 (TT$27,000) each.
The other members of the normalisation committee are Judy Daniel, Nigel L Romano, and Trevor Nicholas Gomez. Daniel lives in Atlanta, USA and is not thought to have set foot in the twin island republic since accepting the post.
Hadad, Daniel, Romano and Gomez might be the only persons in local football who are being paid well and punctually. Despite the chairman’s claim to the contrary, national youth and senior coaches say they have not been paid since April 2020—and even that came eight months late.
One member of Fenwick’s technical staff turned up to training today with an eviction notice.
“Hadad has not even responded to the head coach since we came back [from Puerto Rico], or replied to his emails or text messages,” said a team official, who also spoke anonymously for fear of victimisation. “[…] This cannot continue. They are getting money from Fifa, so what are they doing with it?
“[…] At least come out and say ‘well we can’t pay you this month but we can pay x amount by next month’. Tell us something. The worst thing about it is the disrespect.”
Fenwick’s staff have spoken to the interim executive of the National Football Coaches of Trinidad and Tobago (NFCTT)—several of whom were national youth coaches last year and are also owed money. The latter body is expected to release a statement today.
The Soca Warriors do not have their own representatives, 15 years after the 2006 World Cup players started the now-defunct Football Players Association of Trinidad and Tobago.
“There is nobody representing the players,” said the first national player. “So we talk about our issues in-house and try to find a solution amongst ourselves. We have spoken to [team captain] Khaleem [Hyland] but nothing has happened. It seems that they get the same response that we get—that they are working on it—although obviously the foreign-based players won’t feel it as much as us, because they are still earning a living from their clubs.”
There is little goodwill left between players and administrators, with Hadad further eroding the trust that was in steep decline under former president David John-Williams.
“Under John-Williams, it used to be promises,” said the player. “He would say we would be paid outstanding match fees next week, and next week would come and you would hear something else. And eventually when we kick up, we would be paid.
“Since the normalisation committee came on board, we sent them something in writing and they replied and asked to be granted 60 days to pay us match fees, which we agreed to. But then the first payment for the USA game was made after those 60 days, and we are still waiting to see how long it would take for us to be paid for our World Cup qualifiers last month.
“[…] We realise now that we didn’t put in writing any penalty for late payment, so it is as if we didn’t give them a reason to want to pay within the agreed time. So we will have to look at that in the future.”
Life as a Trinidad and Tobago footballer, he said, means fighting for even the most basic things to do your job.
“There are plenty issues right now such as our equipment and uniforms seem to be whatever the staff can scrape up,” he said. “The medical supplies are lacking. The nutrition is really badly lacking. The police commissioner helps us out and we normally would get lunch in the Barracks after we finish training; but today had none.
“But finances is the biggest problem, especially with no football going on for two years straight. People are out of contract so men are training for free for over a year.
“Sometimes some players may get a ‘shut down’ work on the rigs down south and they will take it if they get it. Some get some hardware work in-between, which again would be their only sources of income.”
The players hoped that ‘back-pay’ was coming, based on alleged promises of a retroactive stipend by Hadad. His subsequent comments in the Guardian totally deflated them.
“Players took it to heart,” said the player. “You’re promising us one thing with your own mouth, and have players giving up whatever hustle they could be doing to come and train, with nothing in return.
“[…] It was a betrayal. It is something we asked about, they agreed on, they said they were working on it. And now this…”
RELATED NEWS
‘Callous and exploitative!’ Coaches accuse Hadad of destroying local football, demand transparency
WIRED868.
“[…] Not being paid according to agreement is unacceptable, but to add to that the dismissive nature with which the leadership of the TTFA has dealt with the crisis is callous and exploitative. This is the consensus of persons from every corner of the football fraternity.
“[…] Please be reminded, football belongs to the people of Trinidad and Tobago—not any one person or group of persons regardless of their position…”
The following press statement on the governance-style of Fifa-appointed normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad was submitted by Jefferson George, interim president of the National Football Coaches of Trinidad and Tobago (NFCTT) and ex-Boys National Under-15 Team goalkeeper coach:
As all sectors of our economy suffer from the effects of Covid-19, I am witnessing the destruction of the football industry by those who have the responsibility to manage it. (To avoid being ambiguous I am referring to the leadership of the TTFA.)
From the infrastructure of clubs and leagues to what should be its most precious resources, the human capital. Players, technical staff and supporters all have been abandoned and left like sheep without a shepherd, in these most trying times.
The head of the normalisation committee, Mr Robert Hadad, pledged last December—after paying 50 percent of the amount owed to members of the national technical staff—that he will be open and available for discussions on moving football forward with all stakeholders.
Despite several efforts to get in touch, there has been no response from him up to this day. With mounting debts and no opportunity to ply their trade, members for the technical staff remain in the dark concerning the outstanding payments.
This same situation also applies to the staff of the Men’s National Senior Team, as they continue to work without payment since last year.
I also had an opportunity to speak to local players on the senior team who spoke of the challenges associated with training. While transportation is being provided by a third party from a particular location, there is no allowance given to the members of the squad.
With most of these players not having a contract because there is no local league, they are using from their own limited resources to attend training and for equipment.
Players have also had to consider the logical choice of going to make a ‘day work’ instead of attending training, because they have to feed their families.
As far as I am aware none of the staff of national teams have been paid this year, including the Futsal team which will be in competition in the upcoming weeks. That is contradictory to what Mr Hadad said in an interview recently when he stated that payment to all teams were up to date.
Not being paid according to agreement is unacceptable, but to add to that the dismissive nature with which the leadership of the TTFA has dealt with the crisis is callous and exploitative. This is the consensus of persons from every corner of the football fraternity.
On behalf of the Coaches Association, I am expressing extreme dissatisfaction with the treatment of staff and players, and the lack of transparency in the dealings of the TTFA.
Please be reminded, football belongs to the people of Trinidad and Tobago—not any one person or group of persons regardless of their position.
Given that our expectations seem unrealistic to the TTFA, we will like to pose some pertinent questions:
1. Why are staff members not being paid although money has been received from Fifa?
2. What priority does the normalisation committee/TTFA place on staff payment?
3. Why are foreign coaches being hired while local coaches go unpaid?
4. What is the Fifa funding being used for currently?
5. Are there any plans to engage with local football stakeholders to map the way forward?
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1. Why are staff members not being paid although money has been received from Fifa? That is none of your business
2. What priority does the normalisation committee/TTFA place on staff payment? That is none of your business
3. Why are foreign coaches being hired while local coaches go unpaid? We don't like local coaches, they too duncy
4. What is the Fifa funding being used for currently? None of your f----ing business
5. Are there any plans to engage with local football stakeholders to map the way forward? No
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TTFA members call-out NC for mismanagement.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).
Charges of gross mismanagement of the affairs of T&T football have been levelled against the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee (NC) after only the first of its two-year term of office.
The same membership, who was responsible for the removal of the William Wallace-led United TTFA (T&T Football Association) from office last year, disapproves of the way the sport is currently being managed under the NC, led by chairman Robert Hadad, including the non-payment of salaries to the staff, players and coaches of the senior national men's team which is well into the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for the Qatar World Cup 2022; no audited and compliance committee, no annual general meetings (AGM), no audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020; increasing debt and poor financial management, and the mismanagement of the World Cup match against Guyana that was played in the Dominican Republic.
The game was carded to be a T&T home game at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain on March 25 but the NC's lengthy delay in putting things in place led to the government blanking the association because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Saturday, the members delivered a stinging 15-page document, which was also sent to FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, that stated the NC has failed to carry out the instructions of the sport's world governing body- to normalise T&T football and prepare it for election.
Pointing to the mandate given by FIFA, the members claim: "You were appointed on the 27th March 2020 and you were mandated by FIFA to execute the following during a two-year term: 1. Establish a debt repayment plan that is implementable by the TTFA; 2. Review and amend the TTFA Statutes (and other regulations where necessary) and ensure their compliance with the FIFA Statutes and requirements before duly submitting them for approval to the TTFA Congress; 3. Run the TTFA’s daily affairs; 4. Organise and conduct elections of a new TTFA executive committee for a four-year mandate.
"To date, either there has been no cohesive and structured debt repayment plan presented to the members of the TTFA or the members have not been made aware of such plan by the Normalisation Committee to liquidate the outstanding debts to coaches, players, technical staff, TTFA administrative staff and other creditors. Rather, there seems to be a greater concern with setting up a “Unified League” than developing and presenting a well-organised and practical debt repayment strategy as mandated."
Hadad told Guardian Media Sports in January the debt had risen from an estimated $50 million to a whopping $70 million, but his actions to contain or reduce it, have been criticised by the membership, which stated: "Since your appointment on the 27th of March 2020, there seems to be an increase in expenditure for the TTFA. In fact, Mr Adrian Romain was hired as manager of the senior men’s team however, Mr Basil Thompson was already employed as the team’s manager. As such, Mr Thompson now holds the position of Logistics Manager, a post non-existent in our Constitution. This is clearly an unnecessary expense that you have approved and it has increased the debt of the TTFA even further.
"In addition, you have hired a number of high-priced foreign coaches such as the senior’s men’s national team head coach at twenty thousand US dollars ($20,000USD) per month, the goalkeeping coach at nine thousand US dollars ($9,000USD) per month and the assistant coach to the national team at eight thousand US dollars ($8,000USD) per month. As we are sure you are aware, they are currently the highest-paid coaching staff in the region. In an already cash-strapped environment, would it not be more prudent to retain our well capable local coaches for a reasonable cost? We the members are of the opinion that this is not financially prudent and it clearly illustrates poor financial management. Which is contrary to your instructions given by FIFA."
Hadad was not responsible for the appointments of the senior national team staff and coaches as they were made under the Wallace-led administration, however, T&T Futsal coach Constantine Konstin, beach soccer coach Ramiro Amarelle and women's coach James Thomas were hired by the NC.
The Wallace administration was also responsible for the appointment of the much-needed standing committees, but all of them were abandoned by the NC. The membership also sought to question this move, saying: "Article 40.2 of the TTFA Constitution states: ‘members of the standing committees shall be designated for a term of office of four years.’ It is also noteworthy that FIFA’s Statues also state that standing committees shall advise and assist the executive. FIFA, on the appointment of the normalisation committee, did not disband our existing Committees which were implemented by the previous administration. Rather, they disbanded the executive and appointed the normalisation committee. Failure to appoint the aforementioned Standing Committees has resulted in a lack of transparency and accountability with the stakeholders of the TTFA, as well as a general distrust between the members and the normalisation committee. Furthermore, the absence of the aforementioned committees undermines the integrity of the association and minimises our chances of optimal performance in the international arena.
The standing committees appointed by the previous administration are Finance Committee; Audit and Compliance Committee; Organising Committee for TTFA Competitions; Technical and Development Committee; Referees Committee; Legal Committee; Committee for Women’s Football; Youth Football and Development Committee; Sports Medicine Committee; Players’ Status Committee; and the Marketing Committee.
Hadad was also accused of failing to run the daily affairs of the sport and has not put together development programmes for the country's Under-13, U-15, and U-17 football teams, as well as a programme for the women's teams.
Meanwhile, national coach Terry Fenwick, despite leading the Soca Warriors to four points in two matches to date, has come under fire for an alleged incident on the eve of the team's departure for matches against Guyana and Puerto Rico in March. The outburst by Fenwick had been the second such incident during his stint in T&T football and the failure to deal with the recent incident against TTFA media officer Shaun Fuentes was noticed by the membership.
"As members of the TTFA, we would like to know what disciplinary measures were taken against Mr Fenwick for such aggressive and disrespectful behaviour. Is this the type of behaviour we allow to be swept under the carpet?"
Concerns about Fenwick's contract which was agreed on by the previous football administration were raised with inconsistencies and irregularities being at the top of the list, alongside reporting requirement. With no technical committee available, the Englishman reports directly to Hadad and his committee members.
Meanwhile, a release from the TTFA on Saturday said "the normalisation committee of the TTFA received a letter from the membership on May 1 which they understand and will deal with the issues this week".
The release stated: "The Normalisation process was fully allowed to function as of November 2020 and the process for any Member Association is difficult and challenging. FIFA and CONCACAF continue to guide this process as we work towards resurrecting football out of its doldrums, which has been made more complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It must be noted that many details outlined in the document are inaccurate and based on assumptions. We will endeavour to improve on the communication channels between the TTFA and its membership so that the members are provided with accurate sources of information on these matters, with the aim of fostering a stronger relationship between all parties."
RELATED NEWS
Normalisation committee to address Trinidad and Tobago Football Association members' concerns.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (T&T Newsday).
OVER THE next week, the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee will address a plethora of issues raised by several members of the TT Football Association (TTFA), who accuse the Robert Hadad-led board of mismanagement and further debt accumulation.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the committee said they understood the concerns of the TTFA membership but has always been guided by the sport’s global governing body and Concacaf.
The committee’s statement came in response to a 13-page letter issued by eight TTFA members to Hadad, which highlighted an array of questionable administrative decisions.
The letter was signed off by acting TT Pro League chairman Brent Sancho, Central FA president Shymdeo Gosine, Eastern FA president Kieron Edwards, Eastern Counties Football Union vice-president Ian Pritchard, Northern FA president Ross Russell, Southern FA president Richard Quan Chan, TT Football Referees Association president Osmond Downer and Secondary Schools Football League president Merere Gonzales.
In reply to their complaints, the normalisation committee stated, “The normalisation process was fully allowed to function as of November 2020 and the process for any member association is difficult and challenging.
“FIFA and CONCACAF continue to guide this process as we work towards resurrecting football out of its doldrums, which has been made more complicated by the covid19 pandemic.”
The committee noted that many details outlined in the document they received were inaccurate and based on assumptions.
“We will endeavour to improve on the communication channels between the TTFA and its membership so that the members are provided with accurate sources of information on these matters, with the aim of fostering a stronger relationship between all parties,” the committee’s statement read.
The Hadad-led team, however, said that it was unfortunate that the members’ letter, which was sent internally, found its way into the public domain.
The committee’s statement concluded, “Trust between the TTFA and its membership is paramount to developing this strong relationship and we believe that by working together earnestly, it can be achieved.”
Meanwhile, the letter penned to Hadad by the troubled members took to task both the actions and inactions of his team during their stint at the helm of T&T football.
Hadad was chosen by FIFA to run the affairs of TT football, in March 2020, after the world governing body disbanded the then executive led by former president William Wallace.
FIFA removed Wallace and his administrators after an independent auditor stated the TTFA “faced a very risk of insolvency and illiquidity” owing to “financial mismanagement and massive debt”.
Hadad’s mandate, by FIFA, was to run the TTFA’s daily affairs and to establish a debt repayment plan implementable by the TTFA.
He was also required to review and amend the TTFA Statutes (and other regulations where necessary) to ensure their compliance with FIFA’s Statutes and requirements. Additionally, he was tasked to organise and to conduct elections of a new TTFA executive committee for a four-year mandate.
However, according to the letter, undersigned by eight TTFA members, they believe that neither of the above mentioned objectives was ever addressed by the committee.
They also questioned several decisions made by the normalisation committee to delay the TTFA’s annual general meeting, its non-appointment of audits, external auditors, compliance and technical committees and the absence of standing committee members.
Coaches’ salaries (both owed and overpaid), TTFA’s debt repayment plans, its Statutes and even its inability to secure the March 25 World Cup qualifier against Guyana on local soil were also among the many issues raised in the letter to Hadad.
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Regarding the Team Manager and Logistics Manager separation of duties: a similar thing happened previously. Likely rooted in having a person dedicated to logistics in light of the multiple logistical mishaps. Whether it is directly provided for in the Constitution may be immaterial because it likely falls within the ordinary discretion and purview of a GS's operational guidance of the association. In this case, the NC. Nonetheless, discretion notwithstanding, the financial concern is valid. Also, raises multiple other questions about efficiency.
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This is what TT gets for selling out and throwing look Loy under the bus...
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This is what TT gets for selling out and throwing look Loy under the bus...
When Look Loy hire Terry Fenwick he throw TT football under the bus.
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This is what TT gets for selling out and throwing look Loy under the bus...
When Look Loy hire Terry Fenwick he throw TT football under the bus.
the board hired terry fenwick
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This is what TT gets for selling out and throwing look Loy under the bus...
When Look Loy hire Terry Fenwick he throw TT football under the bus.
the board hired terry fenwick
That was a imaginary board.
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Scum. Pockets a pretty penny from FIFA while his players starve? What happened to getting paid for work?
There are two forms of work for which one is not compensated. One of them is known as voluntarism.
These players aren't volunteering, and this certainly isn't voluntarism/voluntourism (had a student write a disseratation about that a decade ago, interesting stuff). These are football players undertaking training for the benefit of T&T - look at how they behave about the Rangers players. No wonder they wouldn't release them, clearly there was no guarantee of insurance/compensation if they released the players they were paying.
So what are your thoughts on forced labour?
I'm not a fan, although the TTFA don't seem to mind that they're effectively forcing these players to train for free due to the collapse of their industry
Nothing is forced ... they all can just not show up to train ... if st kitts can get a league going why cant we ?
There is no comparison between St. Kitts/Nevis and Trinidad & Tobago. There are no Covid-19 cases in St. Kitts and they have established a plan to reopen for tourism. The citizens of Trinidad and Tobago citizens are so indisciplined that the Covid-19 surges would require closure for a long time. Few people want a short term sacrifice for a long term gain.
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Normel, normel
By Fazeer Mohammed (T&T Express).
There must be some sort of illness, or maybe even a curse, which afflicts many persons in positions of authority to the extent that they are so convinced of their presumed superiority that they are incapable of appreciating the folly of their own actions, or as in the case of the Normalisation Committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), their inactions.
In going against the grain of protracted silence in relation to continuous complaints about the substance and style of their FIFA-imposed governance, made many times worse by a chronic failure to communicate with several key stakeholders in the local game, the Robert Hadad-led four-member committee issued a swift response on Saturday to a letter of complaint to the world governing body, a response which told everything about their one-eyed view of the world.
For the purposes of full disclosure, let me state immediately that my family’s electrical and plumbing supplies business, of which I am a director, has had a continuous relationship with Hadco Limited (of which Robert Hadad is a co-CEO) since the establishment of Hadco’s electrical and lighting division almost 30 years ago. Also, I have known the latest addition to the Normalisation Committee, Nicholas Gomez (it was only via the reporting of his appointment that I learnt that his birth certificate first name is “Trevor”), since secondary school days when he was an outstanding middle-order batsman at Fatima College and went on to captain the national under-19 team at the 1984 West Indies youth championships before playing his lone senior national first-class game against the touring Englishmen in 1986 at the Queen’s Park Oval.
So back to the issue at hand.
Limitations of space don’t permit extensive detail on the letter of complaint from TTFA members to FIFA, nor are they really necessary for the purposes of discerning the obvious failings of the governance style of Hadad together with other committee members Nigel Romano, Judy Daniel and latest addition Gomez.
Whether it is Hadad personally or the collective quartet, they essentially stand accused of what can be interpreted as high-handedness as reflected in that previously mentioned failure to communicate. And in their swift response, the Normalisation Committee made clear why they are so despised by so many in local football.
In the second line of their response they state: “We understand the concerns of the TTFA Members and will be addressing those issues with the membership directly this week.”
If we ignore the eight months of legal wrangling with the eventually-deposed William Wallace administration, why has it taken five months from the actual implementation of the committee’s FIFA mandate in November of last year to acknowledge the necessity of speaking directly to the membership of the organisation they now govern?
But it is the third paragraph of the letter which confirms the aforementioned illness, or curse, if you prefer:
“It must be noted that many details outlined in the document (the complaint sent to FIFA) are inaccurate and based on assumptions. We will endeavour to improve on the communication channels between the TTFA and its membership so that the members are provided with accurate sources of information on these matters, with the aim of fostering a stronger relationship between all parties.”
This is so typical of what passes for accountability around here: hurling blame back on the complainant(s) for maybe getting things wrong in the specifics of their accusations, sidestepping the obvious issue of the communications vacuum which allows suspicions to fester, and then vow to do something (improve communication channels) which should have been done from the very outset.
And finally, to confirm that we remain in the colonial era, is the lament about washing dirty football socks in public:
“It is however unfortunate that this letter, which was sent internally, has found its way into the media space. Trust between the TTFA and its membership is paramount to develop this strong relationship and we believe that by working together earnestly, it can be achieved.”
So who has broken the bond of trust, the complainants who used the media to prompt a swift response when previously there was only silence, or the new governors who inferred by their continuous failure to communicate with key stakeholders that they were answerable only to FIFA?
Look, this is certainly not an attempt to cast clear villains and victims because the evidence of several decades of innumerable iterations of local football bacchanal makes clear that many of those who consider themselves “football people” are invariably the architects of this continually deplorable state of administrative affairs.
Still, in this specific instance, and as confirmed by their uncharacteristic knee-jerk response, this four-member team operates, like so many others at all leadership levels in this country, by decree.
What else can we expect but business as usual from a “Normalization Committee”?
RELATED NEWS
Hadad and his crew are the only ones earning from football, while they suffer T&T players and coaches.
Wayne 'Barney' Sheppard (Wired868).
The only people making money in football in Trinidad and Tobago for the last year have been non-football people.
Robert Hadad is drawing upwards of TT$40,000 per month while Judy Daniel, Nigel Romano and Trevor Gomez are banking over TT$30,000 per month—based on the standard sums given to Fifa-appointed normalisation committee members elsewhere.
They are all gainfully employed in other fields and have been touted and paraded as successes there.
Yet Hadad says he won’t pay the local-based national players a stipend when they have no club football to draw a dollar from—although the normalisation committee got at least US$1.5m (TT$10.2m) in Covid-19 relief funding on top of its US$1.2m (TT$8.14m) annual subvention.
None of the other committee members objected to his statement, so it stands to reason that they agree.
Hadad lied and said he paid the national coaches. He didn’t. The rest of the normalisation committee said nothing; so they too lied.
Yet without those very players and coaches who they refuse to pay, there would be no football and no need for their committee.
Those are not the actions of successful business persons. Those are the actions of scabs.
TTFA stakeholders chide FIFA appointee.
T&T Express Reports.
HADAD UNDER FIRE
IT’S AKIN to parents complaining about their child’s behaviour.
Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) stakeholders have complained to football governing body FIFA about the conduct of Robert Hadad, chairman of the normalisation committee appointed last March to reorganise the financially-strapped local association.
Yesterday, in a signed letter, the stakeholders, comprising several board members, wrote Hadad citing several disagreements with the way in which he is running football.
Carbon-copied to FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura and normalisation committee members Nigel Romano, Judy Daniel and Trevor Gomez, the business communiqué critiqued Hadad’s management style.
The 15-page letter bore the signatures of Brent Sancho, acting TT Pro League chairman; Referees Association president Osmond Downer; Secondary Schools League president Merere Gonzales; Eastern Football Association president Kieron Edwards; Northern Football Association president Ross Russell; Southern Football Association president Richard Quan Chan; Central Football Association president Shamdeo Gosein and Eastern Counties Football Association vice-president Ian Pritchard.
The last time stakeholders were so unanimous in their action, it led to former TTFA president Williams Wallace being told that he did not have stakeholders’ support for court action and paved the way for Hadad’s normalisation committee taking over.
Now stakeholders also seem dissatisfied with Hadad as well. Coaches, players and staff have either not been paid or are not being paid on time and Hadad, a local businessman with no football history, is accused of ignoring the input of the people involved in football.
Hadad did not respond to enquiries by the Sunday Express yesterday, however, the TTFA later issued the following press statement: “The normalisation committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has received a letter from TTFA members on 1 May 2021. We understand the concerns of the TTFA members and will be addressing those issues with the membership directly this week.
“It must be noted that many details outlined in the document are inaccurate and based on assumptions. We will endeavour to improve on the communication channels between the TTFA and its membership so that the members are provided with accurate sources of information on these matters, with the aim of fostering a stronger relationship between all parties.”
One of the main issues TTFA stakeholders have with Hadad is what they see as his failure to communicate.
“The SSFL’s position is simply the need to have a meeting,” schools league president Gonzales told the Sunday Express. “We think it is long overdue that a meeting should be held with the stakeholders.”
The letter to Hadad added: “To date, there has been no communication between the normalisation committee and the members of the TTFA, no monthly management reports presented to members since the committee’s appointment in March 2020, no budgets or projected cash flow statements for the year 2021. Please note as members of the TTFA we are very concerned about the lack of transparency and accountability regarding the day-to-day affairs of the Association.”
Hadad was also chided for hiring foreign coaches instead of looking at less expensive local alternatives.
“In an already cash-strapped environment, would it not be more prudent to retain our well capable local coaches for a reasonable cost? We the members are of the opinion that this is not financially prudent and it clearly illustrates poor financial management, which is contrary to your instructions given by FIFA,” the letter stated.
“There are also examples of the futsal and the beach soccer where you have hired expensive foreign coaches during this financially turbulent time when you need to manage our limited funds wisely of which you have not been doing. Your spending on coaches is exorbitant, excessive and ridiculous. Such expenditure cannot be justified given your debt management mandate by FIFA. Since your appointment on the 27th of March 2020, there seems to be an increase in expenditure for the TTFA,” it was noted.
The stakeholders also wanted to know what Hadad had done in a year to reduce the $50 million-plus TTFA debt.
“We the undersigned request that you notify us of the debt repayment plan that has been implemented by the normalisation committee and as mandated by FIFA. This is also critical, since this was the primary reason behind FIFA removing the duly elected administration and installing yourself as chairman of the normalisation committee and yet you too have been unable to present a practical and workable financially prudent debt repayment plan.”
The TTFA stakeholders also want Hadad’s explanation about issues surrounding the contract of current men’s national team head coach Terry Fenwick. They also raised Hadad’s failure to adequately address Fenwick’s conduct, following last month’s public bust-up with TTFA media officer Shaun Fuentes.
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If Sancho could sign the letter, what reservations could a non-signatory have?
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This is what TT gets for selling out and throwing look Loy under the bus...
When Look Loy hire Terry Fenwick he throw TT football under the bus.
the board hired terry fenwick
That was a imaginary board.
Most of us in the beginning had some reservations but eventually accepted TF appointment. Like I said, TF lives in TT and has coached in TT for over 20 years. But I became sour on the appointment after reading about the extra deal Wallace had made for him. Then Wallace got fired and he remained coach. Shouldn't TF been fired with Wallace ? Wallace did the limbo for him and got flambo. He is still the coach. Try and make some sense out of that, nah!
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Time to talk
By Garth Wattley (T&T Express)
There can be fewer hotter heads in the land right now than those of the Prime Minister, Minister of Health, the Chief Medical officer and his staff. Blame it on the insidious Covid-19.
But these must also be very uncomfortable times for Robert Hadad. As a businessman, he probably has to work some minor miracles to cope with the fallout that from Covid and the Government restrictions are producing for employers and their employees. And specifically as the man tasked principally with bringing normalcy to the finances of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association, Hadad and the fellow members of his normalisation committee have a near mission impossible to perform.
Nearly 14 months into the job that is supposed to last two years, it doesn’t appear that he is succeeding.
In his end of year message in December, Hadad tried to sound positive and progressive.
“We have encountered a trying and difficult year and we are looking forward to a brighter 2021. What we put into our football now, determines the end result...
“We are currently focused on a strategic planning process as it is imperative that our plan is locked in place and becomes a blueprint for long-term growth and stability. I take this opportunity to thank all our stakeholders for their ongoing support and patience over the past few months. We have and will continue to invest significant time and energy into getting the best outcome for the country.”
Sounded good
In that message Hadad had also promised:”We will update you on our plans as they evolve, as we work towards being in a position to share our future strategies. Additionally we are currently in a process of forging stronger relationships with our existing partners and stakeholders and do have plans to ensure they are part of our future success.”
But as the months have passed, the patience of the “stakeholders” seems to be running out and the relationship between the committee and the wider football community appears as harmonious as was the one between Hadad’s group and the deposed administration of William Wallace. I’m sure you recall the legal to-ing and fro-ing, the suspending and all the rest that occurred last year when FIFA decided to get rid of Wallace and his duly elected team.
There is no FIFA threat now, but discontent is simmering.
Coaches and technical staff have continued to complain about salaries owed. And in recent weeks, strongly-worded missives have appeared separately in the media from the coaches association and a group of stakeholders complaining about how the normalisation committee has been conducting its business.
“To date, there has been no communication between the normalisation committee and the members of the TTFA, no monthly management reports presented to members since the committee’s appointment in March 2020, no budgets or projected cash flow statements for the year 2021. Please note as members of the TTFA we are very concerned about the lack of transparency and accountability regarding the day-to-day affairs of the Association,” the concerned stakeholders wrote in part in a 15-page letter copied to FIFA.
The group also questioned the quality of the normalisation committee’s decision-making when it came to the recent appointments of foreign coaches.
“In an already cash-strapped environment, would it not be more prudent to retain our well capable local coaches for a reasonable cost? We the members are of the opinion that this is not financially prudent and it clearly illustrates poor financial management which is contrary to your instructions given by FIFA.”
In response, Hadad promised to meet with the group and respond to what he claimed were some inaccuracies in their claims. But up to the weekend past, no talks had taken place.
The media have been no more successful in getting details out of the normalisation people. Just why Hadad is so reluctant to engage with the people in football is anyone’s guess.
No doubt he has taken on an onerous job with no easy solutions. But trust has to be built at some point.
As finance people delving into football business, Hadad and his committee need those with the football expertise to help them run the game. Just to what extent the normalisation committee is using those resources is not clear at all.
From the noises of the stakeholders, one would have to say they are relying on a precious few.
Covid-19 has made the playing of the game impossible. But those who have played football, including Hadad, will know that team mates need to talk during a match. They need to alert each other to danger from the opposition or of the chance to launch an attack themselves. Victory on the field could depend on good calling.
So Mr Hadad, it’s more than time to do some real talking.
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Remember Hadad was handed this position. He really doesn't have any stake in the game. My prediction, he resigns and rides away on his jack ass before the end of the year. .
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Remember Hadad was handed this position. He really doesn't have any stake in the game. My prediction, he resigns and rides away on his jack ass before the end of the year. .
He'll collect his 2 year contract, why wouldn't he? There's clearly no accountability or expectations for his role and he's being paid stupid money for nothing
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Remember Hadad was handed this position. He really doesn't have any stake in the game. My prediction, he resigns and rides away on his jack ass before the end of the year. .
He'll collect his 2 year contract, why wouldn't he? There's clearly no accountability or expectations for his role and he's being paid stupid money for nothing
As a businessman, this negative press can trickle into his other business. Just an observation. .
He does not seem to know what he is doing. Which he'll probably admit soon.
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Remember Hadad was handed this position. He really doesn't have any stake in the game. My prediction, he resigns and rides away on his jack ass before the end of the year. .
He'll collect his 2 year contract, why wouldn't he? There's clearly no accountability or expectations for his role and he's being paid stupid money for nothing
As a businessman, this negative press can trickle into his other business. Just an observation. .
He does not seem to know what he is doing. Which he'll probably admit soon.
On the one hand he should be concerned about perception and impact on the businesses, but not be concerned about the perception and impact on said businesses of an admission of ignorance and lack of competence?
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I eh around a lot these but doesn't seem like I'm missing much.... ::)
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Hadad’s unconstitutional ‘meeting’ raises more questions on NC’s occupation of the TTFA
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).
Fifa-appointed normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad has come under fire again for repeat violations of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) Constitution, after his invitation to members for a meeting provoked more questions about his leadership.
On Wednesday, TTFA acting general secretary Amiel Mohammed invited members to a ‘meeting’ on Zoom next Tuesday from 6pm to 7pm. The ‘forum’, according to Mohammed, will ‘feature a membership update presented by the NC on TTFA Affairs’.
Mohammed’s email, on behalf of the normalisation committee, did not include an agenda or suggest a stipulated question and answer segment, while a one hour timeframe for the body’s first meeting with members—16 months after its appointment—is farcical.
The more pressing issues that the normalisation committee are likely to face questions on include:
The TTFA’s debt repayment plans, Fifa’s desired constitutional amendments, the TTFA’s financial statements, the Soca Warriors’ disastrous 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign, details of the Bol clothing deal, details of interim head coach Angus Eve’s contract, details of Women’s National Senior Team head coach James Thomas’ contract, details of the payoff offered to former marketing manager Peter Miller, an explanation regarding Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith’s role within the TTFA and the Men’s National Senior Team, details on former head coach Terry Fenwick’s altercation with press officer Shaun Fuentes, details on former assistant coach Kelvin Jack’s altercation with player Gary Griffith III, the legal advice that underpinned the normalisation committee’s handling of the contracts it met and entered into since its appointment, a breakdown of the match fees and television revenue pocketed for the January international friendly against the United States, and an explanation regarding where the normalisation committee currently banks the Fifa subvention to the TTFA.
And, first and foremost, why is the normalisation committee refusing to adhere to the constitution by holding a general meeting?
Trinidad and Tobago Football Referees Association (TTFRA) president Osmond Downer, in a response to the normalisation committee, said he is ‘thankful for the long awaited opportunity to have a membership meeting for the stakeholders of the TTFA to be updated on the activities of the NC’.
However, he also expressed concern about the invitation.
“What is the status or nature of this ‘meeting’?” asked Downer, in an email seen by Wired868. “From your request for members ‘to send their delegates’ email addresses’, it would appear to be a ‘general meeting’. But, what kind of general meeting?
“[…] Article 27 of the TTFA’s Constitution clearly lays out the requirements for the convening of an annual general meeting with required days notice etc. This ‘meeting’ certainly does not fulfil the requirements of Article 27.
“[…] Again the convening of this meeting does not fulfil the requirements of article 29, for example, the requirement for ‘at least 10 days notice before the date of an EGM’.
“So, this ‘meeting’ cannot be classified as a constitutionally valid general meeting of the TTFA. Perhaps it can be labelled as an informal meeting or gathering of the members of the TTFA.”
What is the difference between a properly constituted meeting and an informal one?
The former ensures specific rights to the bodies which comprise the TTFA, as relates to the information they are due and demands they can make of local football’s current management body.
In an informal meeting, Hadad can merely share what he chooses before signing off. Such a conclave would allow the normalisation committee to claim—at least to gullible or uninformed parties—that it has met stakeholders, without offering any value to the members whose interest they are supposed to serve.
Downer’s closing sentence was instructive.
“One would presume that, at the meeting, questions and even suggestions for improvement will be allowed from the stakeholders,” said Downer.
It was half-statement, half-question. And it was telling that he saw it necessary to raise it at all.
Hadad apart, the Fifa-appointed normalisation committee comprises Judy Daniel, Nigel L Romano and Trevor Nicholas Gomez.
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Fifa admits Hadad’s NC has struggled with mandate; then extends their TTFA control for another year
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).
The Bureau of the Fifa Council, headed by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, has extended the mandate for its normalisation committee in Trinidad and Tobago until 31 March 2023.
The move means that the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA)—and all organised football on the two-island republic—will remain under the thumb of Fifa-appointed normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad for at least three years.
The TTFA was due to return to an elected leadership by 18 March 2022, exactly two years after Fifa seized control of the association—supposedly owing to concerns over the local football body’s debts. However,on 17 December, the Bureau unilaterally ruled that it will retain control of the TTFA. The decision was formally communicated to Trinidad and Tobago today, on Christmas Eve, by Fifa secretary general Fatma Samoura.
The Bureau comprises AFC president Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, CAF president Patrice Motsepe, Concacaf Victor Montagliani, Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez and OFC president Lambert Maltock.
Samoura attributed the ruling by the Infantino-led body to an amalgam of issues from the protracted departure of the previous board, headed by TTFA president William Wallace, to Covid-19.
Notably, though, Fifa did not initially deviate from its proposed March 2022 handover of the TTFA’s reins when Wallace finally stepped aside on 20 October 2020—at which time the world had already acknowledged the significant disruption posed by the novel coronavirus.
It is more likely, then, that Fifa’s decision to remain is down to the inability of Hadad and fellow normalisation committee members Judy Daniel, Nigel Romano and Trevor Nicholas Gomez to successfully complete their tasks.
‘The Bureau also took note that there were certain issues that led to the backlog in the normal operations of the TTFA, including finance,’ stated the Fifa missive. ‘This contributed to the inability to appoint an independent auditor, which in turn meant that no audited financial statements could be prepared (and thus presented); the inability to make payments directly to the TTFA’s bank account due to a high risk of garnishment, thereby restricting the TTFA from making immediate payments when necessary and having more freedom with regard to the use of the funds; and the budget cuts imposed due to the multiple claims and payment demands from creditors.
‘Finally, the Bureau acknowledged that in November 2021, due to the current total debts of the TTFA, the normalisation committee notified the Office of the Supervisor of Insolvency of its intention to make a proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act of Trinidad and Tobago (hereinafter: the Act).’
The mandate of the Hadad-led normalisation is: ‘to run the TTFA’s daily affairs, to establish a debt repayment plan that is implementable by the TTFA administration, to review and amend the TTFA Statutes (and other regulations where necessary), and ensure their compliance with the Fifa Statutes and requirements before duly submitting them for approval to the TTFA Congress, and to organise and conduct elections of a new TTFA executive committee for a four-year mandate’.
If Fifa is concerned about the slow pace of the financial reforms necessary within the TTFA, local stakeholders have complained for months about Hadad’s refusal to abide by the constitution—in particular, his disinclination to activate standing committees to assist in the running of the sport.
Other ‘normalised’ football nations, including Guyana, retained standing committees. However, Hadad, Daniel, Romano, Gomez and acting general secretary Amiel Mohammed have generally tried to run football themselves, when—in the case of the committee members—they are not looking after their regular jobs.
In the last two years, only the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s and Women’s National Senior Teams have been operational–and even then only sporadically. The TTFA recently began screening for the Men’s National Under-20 and Women’s National Under-20 and Under-17 Teams.
Samoura’s statement regarding ‘the inability to make payments directly to the TTFA’s bank account due to a high risk of garnishment’ is sure to interest dozen of attorneys too, who have been anxious for proof that the local football body is ‘hiding’ money from its creditors.
The TTFA banks roughly US$1.5 mil (TT$10.2 mil) from Fifa in subventions every year. Hadad is believed to earn US$6,500 (TT$44,000) per month from Fifa for his duties as chairman, while the other committee members collect US$4,000 (TT$27,000) each.
Fifa’s response to the sluggish reform under Hadad and company is now to give more time to the controversial administrators rather than to replace them or leave the mess in the hands of a new football president.
‘Under the above-described circumstances and considering all the urgent and complex challenges the TTFA is still facing,’ stated Samoura, ‘the Bureau decided on 17 December 2021 to extend the mandate of the normalisation committee until 31 March 2023 at the latest.’
Fifa’s unilateral decision to remain in charge of the TTFA was predicted by former board member Keith Look Loy and Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis.
There is precedent too abroad. Fifa extended its mandate to the normalisation committee of Egypt on three occasions, while Pakistan’s committee got four extensions—on 15 June 2020, 31 December 2020, 30 June 2021 and 30 September 2021.
In the case of the latter body, Pakistani football stakeholders ‘reclaimed control’ of its association by refusing to recognise the foreign-led committee. As a result, Pakistan football remains suspended by Fifa.
Fifa’s ability to dissolve democratically elected football bodies across the globe, on the whims of a seven-member committee established in Zurich, hinges on Article 8.2 of the Fifa Statutes, which states: ‘executive bodies of member associations may under exceptional circumstances be removed from office by the Council, in consultation with the relevant confederation, and replaced by a normalisation committee for a specific period of time.’
And, as Trinidad and Tobago football stakeholders are now aware, that ‘specific period of time’ can also be changed unilaterally by Fifa.
With local football administrators cowering, Infantino will relinquish control of the two-island republic’s football only when he is good and ready.
(Fifa Statement)
Dear Mr Hadad,
We are writing to inform you that the situation of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (hereinafter: TTFA) has been brought to the attention of the Bureau of the Fifa Council (hereinafter: the Bureau).
The Bureau was reminded that in accordance with article 8 paragraph 2 of the FIFA Statutes, a normalisation committee was appointed for the TTFA, whose tasks are to run the TTFA’s daily affairs, to establish a debt repayment plan that is implementable by the TTFA administration, to review and amend the TTFA Statutes (and other regulations where necessary), and ensure their compliance with the Fifa Statutes and requirements before duly submitting them for approval to the TTFA Congress, and to organise and conduct elections of a new TTFA Executive Committee for a four-year mandate.
In addition, the Bureau was reminded that, in September 2020, in accordance with article 16 paragraph 1 of the Fifa Statutes, the TTFA was suspended with immediate effect due the fact that members of the former Board of Directors of the TTFA had appealed the above-mentioned decision of the Bureau before the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago.
In November 2020, FIFA was informed that all claims against it before the ordinary courts of Trinidad and Tobago had been closed. Consequently, the suspension of the TTFA was lifted with immediate effect.
The Bureau took note that the actions taken by members of the former Board of Directors of the TTFA greatly hindered and significantly impacted the work and mandate of the normalisation committee, as it had to devote considerable effort to countering such actions.
In addition, that the tasks assigned to the normalisation committee were subsequently delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and sanitary restrictions imposed by the government of Trinidad and Tobago. The Bureau also took note that there were certain issues that led to the backlog in the normal operations of the TTFA, including finance.
This contributed to the inability to appoint an independent auditor, which in turn meant that no audited financial statements could be prepared (and thus presented); the inability to make payments directly to the TTFA’s bank account due to a high risk of garnishment, thereby restricting the TTFA from making immediate payments when necessary and having more freedom with regard to the use of the funds; and the budget cuts imposed due to the multiple claims and payment demands from creditors.
Finally, the Bureau acknowledged that in November 2021, due to the current total debts of the TTFA, the normalisation committee notified the Office of the Supervisory of Insolvency of its intention to make a proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act of Trinidad and Tobago (hereinafter: the Act).
The normalisation committee together with a licensed trustee under the Act will therefore manage the debt proposal process.
Under the above-described circumstances and considering all the urgent and complex challenges the TTFA is still facing, the Bureau decided on 17 December 2021 to extend the mandate of the normalisation committee until 31 March 2023 at the latest.
We thank you for taking note of the above and remain at your disposal in case of queries.
Yours sincerely,
RELATED NEWS
Dear Editor: Cowed TTFA members got what they deserved from abusive Fifa and hapless Hadad
Wired868.com
“[…] Despite occasional mutterings, all those who pilloried and cursed William Wallace and Keith Look Loy to leave forthwith in 2020 have been silent since we left. Not a word from them.
“So much for their ‘love for the youths’. They are cowed into subservience to Fifa because they are afraid to stand on their own legs like free people, and are addicted to dependence on FIFA funding—which never reaches down to the membership, and which they never receive the benefit of…”
The following Letter to the Editor on Fifa’s unilateral decision to extend its ‘normalisation’ of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) to three years was submitted to Wired868 by former TTFA board member and TTSL president Keith Look Loy:
Wow! So Fifa has extended the reign of the emperor who has no clothes. What a surprise!
Well, not really. I saw this one coming from around the block many months ago.
Despite the demonstrated failure of those who populate the Fifa normalisation committee—by which I mean their clear failure to 1) produce a viable plan to save the Association from historic debt and immediate ruin, and 2) prepare amendments to the existing TTFA Constitution, which was approved by Fifa in 2015—the world body has rewarded Robert Hadad and his merry band with another year of Fifa US dollar stipends.
Hadad hasn’t initiated ONE discussion with the membership regarding constitutional matters since March 2020. His response to his mandate to solve the financial predicament of the Association is a joke.
We remember only too well his initial tilt at debt repayment—begging the government and the private sector for donations. This from a ‘big business’ man.
Now, the Association is in the hands of bankruptcy experts. This failure is buttressed by Fifa’s apparent lack of care for membership concerns regarding financial transparency.
At the recently held AGM, members were bullied into accepting a financial statement that they initially refused to approve only because Fifa ‘reminded’ them that TTFA would not receive its annual Fifa subvention without an approved statement.
The truth is that TTFA stability and viability were never Fifa concerns—witness Fifa’s mollycoddling of the dodgy David John-Williams-led administration and its futile effort to have DJW returned to office in November 2019.
The truth is that TTFA is merely one part of the Caribbean and African vote farm that Fifa leaders harvest at will.
The truth is that the Fifa bosses need to retain control of TTFA and to secure its vote in FIFA Congress.
That security was assured with the DJW administration in place, but was threatened by the election of the William Wallace-led administration, which Fifa promptly removed.
God alone knows who and what will inherit TTFA from Hadad. Fifa is probably scared stiff of a possible return by United TTFA (which I can say is not going to happen).
It is in Fifa’s interest to maintain the current, failed status quo for another 15 months.
But THIS is exactly what TTFA members wrote to Gianni Infantino on bended knee, LITERALLY begging for. They begged Fifa to impose its normalisation committee. Well, they got EXACTLY what they asked for.
And now, despite occasional mutterings, all those who pilloried and cursed Wallace and Keith Look Loy to leave forthwith in 2020 have been silent since we left. Not a word from them.
So much for their ‘love for the youths’. They are cowed into subservience to Fifa because they are afraid to stand on their own legs like free people, and are addicted to dependence on FIFA funding—which never reaches down to the membership, and which they never receive the benefit of.
People will use and abuse you as you allow them to. Unfortunately, Trinidad and Tobago football deserves the contempt with which it is being treated by its masters in Zurich. Just so we like it.
Cry for our beloved country.
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Hadad: I will go if they want me out...but FIFA will decide
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian)
Robert Hadad, chairman of the FIFA-installed Normalisation Committee, will move full-speed ahead to ensure that an order given by the local football members to prepare for the election of a new executive by March 18 is carried out.
This order came following an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the T&T Football Association (TTFA) on Saturday at the Home of Football in Balmain, Couva, in which a motion was moved 20-5 in favour of the normalisation committee completing the mandate given by FIFA, and fresh elections are called.
The membership of the TTFA, which was represented by 25 out of the 47 members, has also called for constitutional reform.
Hadad said on Sunday that he intends to follow the constitution, but will await directives from the sport’s world governing body, FIFA, on how they will move.
He is set to meet with FIFA officials Monday to give an update on what transpired at the weekend.
“If FIFA wants me to stay then they will have to address the membership,” Hadad said.
Hadad, in his term in office, along with other members, has not had the best of times. He has been accused of mismanagement and failure to achieve the mandate given to him by the FIFA in March 2020 and despite being given an extension to March 2023, he is again being hounded out of office.
On March 17, 2020, FIFA appointed a normalisation committee for the TTFA in accordance with Art. 8 par. 2 of the FIFA Statutes that followed a fact-finding mission to assess the financial situation of TTFA. From this mission, it was found that there were extremely low overall financial management methods, combined with massive debt, that placed the TTFA at a real risk of insolvency and illiquidity.
As such a normalisation committee was appointed to achieve the mandate of running the TTFA’S daily affairs; to establish a debt repayment plan that is implementable by the TTFA; to review and amend the TTFA Statutes (and other regulations where necessary) and to ensure their compliance with the FIFA Statutes and requirements before duly submitting them for approval to the TTFA Congress; as well as to organise and to conduct elections of a new TTFA Executive Committee for a four-year mandate.
Hadad was quizzed on when he believes the work of the normalisation committee will be concluded, said he does not have a clue, based on a number of unsolved arrangements.
“The financial arrangement is not finalised so the debt has not been paid, so the facts are that we still have two court matters pending with Terry Fenwick and Peter Miller.
“Now maybe they’re thinking that they can manage the process from here on and maybe they’re right, but the trustee (Maria Daniel) will have to address that situation because at the end of the day the way, I read the bankruptcy and insolvency act, the trustee must not only pay the debt but must form the organisation, so the organisation, the methods of procurement, the accounting systems and the manner in which they about it must be dealt with,” Hadad said.
He noted: “I have no direction as yet from FIFA because what the members have done is to say it has to be done by March 18, unless the constitutional reform can be done whilst the new ex-co is in place.
“I have to leave by March 18, if that’s what the members want. If they want an election then my last day is March 18, that is a fact because I will follow the constitution, I have to follow the constitution.”